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T  A  M  I  N  G 


BREAKING  THE  HOESE. 


BY    A    NEW    AND    BirROYED     METHOD, 


AS   PRACTICED   WITH   GREAT   SUCCESS   IN   THE   UNITED  STATES,  AND 
LN    ALL   THE   COUNTRIES   OF   EUROPE. 


JBY    J.    S.    E.AKEY. 

CONTAINING  HULES  FOR  SELECTING  A  GOOD  HORSE,  FOE 
FEEDING  HORSES,  &c. 

ALSO, 

THE  COMPLETE 

FARMER,  OR  HORSE  DOCTOR; 

A    GUIDE    FOR    THE 

TREATMENT  OF  HORSES   IN  ALL  DISEASES  TO  WHICH 
THAT  NOBLE  ANIMAL  IS  LIABLE, 

Being   the   Result   of  Fifty  Tears   Extensive   Practice   of  the  Author, 

JBY  JOHN-  C.  KNOT^LSON-, 

UUItlXQ   HIS  LIFE,    AN    ENGLISH     FARRIEU   OP   HIGH   POPULARITY. 

CONTAINING   THE    LATEST   DISCOVERIES    IN   THE  CTIP.S  O 
SPAVIN. 

NEW  YORK : 

PICK    &   FITZdERALD,   FFBLISHEE.S, 

18   Ann   Street. 

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INDEX   TO    CONTENTS 


Balky  Horses,  how  to  manage 45 

Bit,  the  kind  of,  and  how  used 20 

Blinds,  or  Blinkers 58 

Breaking  the  Horse  to  Harness 27 

Choking  a  means  of  subduing  the  Horse 50 

Choking,  (illustrated,)  process  of 52,  53 

Directions  how  to  lay  the  Horse  down,  &c 34 

Feeding  the  Horse,  rules  for , GO 

Follow  you,  how  to  learn  a  Horse  to 55 

General  Rules  and  Remarks  on  Choking 54 

Halter  for  the  Colt,  the  kind  to  be  used,  &c 9 

Haltering  the  Colt,  how  to  proceed  after 10 

Harness,  breaking  the  Horse  to 27 

Hitching  the  Horse  to  a  Sulky.. 28 

Knowledge  and  Capacity  of  the  Horse 5 

Laying  Down  the  Horse,  how  to  do  it 33 

Laying  Down  the  Horse,  (illustrations) 31,  35,  39,  41  and  43 

Leading  the  Colt  with  a  Broke  Horse 14 

Leading  the  Colt  into  a  Stable 15 

Minute  Directions  to  Lay  the  Horse  Down 34 

Mounting  the  Colt,  how  to  do  it 23 

Pasture,  how  to  get  the  Colt  from 7 

Powell's  JIanagement  of  Wild  Horses 17 

Principles  of  the  New  Method  of  Horse-Taming 6 

Purchasing  a  Horse,  rules  for 61 

Putting  a  Halter  on  the  Colt 9 

Riding  a  Colt,  how  to  do  it 25 

Saddling  the  Colt 21 

Scaring,  how  to  prevent  a  Horse  from 57 

Stabling  the  Colt,  how  to  do  it 7,  15 

Stand  without  Holding,  how  to  make  the  Horse 56 

Stubborn  Colt,  ho%v  to  manage  one 12 

Taming  a  Horse  with  Vicious  Habits 29 

Timidity  of  the  Horse 5 

Treatment  after  the  Horse  is  down 42 

Vicious  Habits  in  a  Horse,  treatment  of .29 

Wild  Horses,  Powell's  management  of. 17 


INTRODUCTOKY. 


Since  issuing  our  former  editions  of  Mr.  Rarey*b 
book  on  Horse  Taming,  some  new  facts  have  been 
published  by  him,  which  are  embodied  in  these 
pages,  and  make  the  work  still  more  complete.  A 
careful  perusal  of  the  instructions  here  given,  will 
show  how  any  cool  and  determined  person  may 
break  or  tame  a  colt  in  a  manner  that  will  make 
him  docile,  stand  at  the  Avord  of  command,  and 
obey  the  voice  with  as  much  certainty  as  ordinarily 
trained  horses  will  answer  the  reins.  In  contrast 
with  the  usual  mode  of  training  by  harsh  words,  a 
sharp  whip,  and  cruel  worrying,  Mr.  E,arey  demon- 
strates how  easily,  quietly  and  safely  horses  may  be 
tamed  by  kindness.  For  trainings  colts,  breaking 
horses  into  harness,  curing  vicious  horses,  such  as 
kickers  and  baulkers,  this  system  is  invaluable. 
Indeed,  it  will  give  to  every  courageous,  calm-tem- 
pered horseman  not  only  the  po^ver  to  conquer  any 
horse,  however  refractory,  but  to  make  the  animal 
affectionate  in  disposition  and  ready  at  all  times  to 
be  mounted  and  put  in  harness,  without  trouble  or 
waste  of  time. 

One  great  value  of  Mr.  Rarey's  system  consists 
in  the  fact  that  it  may  be  taught  to,  and  successfully 
practiced  by,  persons  of  little  strength — even,  by- 
boys  of  fourteen — except  where  the  horse  is  ex- 
tremely vicious  and  powerful.  It  requires  patience, 
and  the  habit  of  dealing  with  horses,  as  well  as  cool- 
nees ;  but  the  real  work  is  rather  a  matter  of  skill 


£V  INTRODUCTORY. 

than  muscle.  Not  only  have  boys  of  eighty  pounds 
weight  become  successful  horse-tamers  in  England, 
but  even  English  ladies  have  perfectly  subdued  and 
reduced  to  calmness  fiery  blood-horses.  Therefore, 
in  dealing  with  Mr.  Rarey's  plan  we  are  not  wasting 
our  time  about  a  trick  for  conquering  incurably 
savage  horses,  but  are  elucidating  the  principles  of 
a  universally  applicable  system  for  taming  and  train- 
mg  horses  for  man's  use,  with  a  perfection  of  docility 
rarely  found  except  in  aged  pet  horses,  and  with  a 
rapidity  heretofore  quite  unknown. 

John  S.  E-arey  is  about  thirty  years  of  age,  of 
middle  height,  and  well-proportioned  figure,  wiry 
and  active  rather  than  muscular — his  complexion  is 
almost  effeminately  fair,  with  more  color  than  is 
usually  found  in  those  of  his  countrymen  who  live 
in  cities.  He  was  a  citizen  of  Groveport,  Ohio,  when 
he  began  his  successful  mode  of  horse-taming.  His 
walk  is  remarkably  light  and  springy,  yet  regular, 
as  he  turns  round  his  horse ;  something  between  the 
set-up  of  a  soldier  and  the  light  step  of  a  sportsman. 
Altogether  his  appearance  and  manners  are  emi- 
nently gentlemanly.  Although  a  self-educated  and 
not  a  book-educated  man,  his  conversation,  when  he 
cares  to  talk,  (for  he  is  rather  reserved,)  always  dis- 
plays a  good  deal  of  thoughtful  originality,  relieved 
by  flashes  of  playful  humor. 

Mr.  Rarey's  system  of  horse-taming  will  infallibly 
supersede  all  others  for  both  civil  and  mihtary  pur- 
poses, and  his  name  will  take  rank  among  the  great 
social  reformers  of  the  nineteenth  century. 


HOKSE    TAMINO,   &c 


The  Horse  is  so  constituted  bj  nature  that  ho 
will  not  offer  resistance  to  any  demand  made  of  him 
which  he  fully  comprehends.  He  has  no  conscious- 
ness of  his  strength  beyond  his  own  experience,  and 
can  be  handled  by  m.an  without  force,  after  a  little 
study  of  his  habits  and  disposition.  Being  deficient 
in  reasoning  powers,  he  has  no  knowledge  of  right 
or  wrong,  of  free  will  and  independent  government, 
and  knows  not  of  any  imposition  practiced  upon  him, 
however  unreasonable  it  may  be.  Consequently,  he 
cannot  easily  decide  what  he  should  or  should  not 
do.  But  being  naturally  of  willing  and  gentle  dis- 
position, it  remains  for  man  to  instruct  him  in  a  man- 
ner suited  to  his  nature. 

The  horse  is  a  timid  animal ;  but  easily  becomes 
familiar  with  objects  and  sounds  that  are  at  first  dis- 
agreeable or  frightful.  We  must  therefore  accustom 
him  to  such  as  he  will  be  apt  to  meet  with  in  his 
daily  service.  To  do  this  effectually,  he  should  be 
allowed  to  examine  closely  and  leisurely  such  objects 
as  would  inspire  terror,  and  to  smell  them  and  touch 
them.  A  log  or  stump  by  the  road-side  may  be,  in 
the  imagination  of  the  horse,  soma  great  beast  about 
';o  pounce  upon  him  ;  but  after  you  take  him  up  to 
it,  and  let  him  stand  by  it  a  little  while,  and  touch  it 
with  his  nose,  and  go  through  his  process  of  exami- 
nation, he  will  not  care  anything  more  about  it. 
And  the  same  principle  iind  process  will  have   the 


6  RAREY    ON    HORSE-TAML\G. 

same  effect  with  any  other  object,  however  frightful 
in  appearance,  in  which  there  is  no  harm. 

I  thus  estabhsh  three  principles  on  which  my  sys- 
tem of  taming  the  horse  is  founded,  viz. : 

First.  That  any  horse  may  he  taught  to  do  any- 
thing that  a  horse  can  do  if  taught  in  a  systematic 
and  proper  manner. 

Second.  That  a  horse  is  not  conscious  of  his  own 
strength  until  he  has  resisted  and  conquered  a  man, 
and  even  in  cases  where  he  has  temporarily  tri- 
umphed he  may  yet  be  subdued; — that  by  taking 
advantage  of  man's  reasoning  powers  a  horse  can 
be  handled  in  such  a  manner  that  he  shall  not  find 
out  his  strength. 

Third.  That  by  enabling  a  horse  to  examine  every 
object  with  which  we  desire  to  make  him  familiar, 
with  the  organs  naturally  used  for  that  purpose,  viz., 
seeing,  smelling  and  Jeeling,  you  may  place  or  dis- 
play the  object  around,  over,  and  on  him,  provided 
that  it  does  not  actually  hurt  him  or  make  him  feel 
disagreeable. 

With  this  introduction  to  first  principles,  I  will 
endeavor  to  teach  you  how  to  put  them  into  prac- 
tice, and  whatever  instructions  may  follow,  you  can 
rely  on  as  having  been  proven  practical  by  my  own 
experiments.  Knowing  from  experience  just  what 
obstacles  I  have  met  with  in  handling  bad  horses, 
I  shall  try  and  anticipate  them  for  you,  and  assist 
you  in  surm.ounting  them,  by  commencing  with  the 
first  steps  to  be  taken  with  the  colt,  and  accompany- 
ing you  through  the  whole  task  of  breaking. 


MANAGEMENT  OF  THE  COLT.  ' 

HOW  TO  GET  THE  COLT  FROM  PASTURE. 

Go  to  the  pasture  and  walk  around  the  whole  herd 
quietly,  and  at  such  a  distance  as  not  to  cause  them 
to  scare  and  run.  Then  approach  them  very  slowly, 
and  if  they  stick  up  their  heads  and  seem  to  be 
frightened,  hold  on  till  they  become  quiet,  so  as  not 
to  make  them  run  before  you  are  close  enough  to 
drive  them  in  the  direction  you  want  them  to  go. 
And  when  you  begin  to  drive,  do  not  flourish  your 
arms  or  halloo,  but  gently  follow  them  off,  leaving 
the  direction  free  for  them  that  you  wish  them  to 
take.  Thus  taking  the  advantage  of  their  igno- 
rance, you  will  be  able  to  get  them  in  the  pound  as 
easily  as  the  hunter  drives  the  quails  into  his  net. 
For  if  they  have  always  run  in  the  pasture  uncared 
for,  (as  many  horses  do  in  prairie  countries  and  on 
large  plantations,)  there  is  no  reason  why  they 
should  not  be  as  wild  as  the  sportsman's  birds,  and 
require  the  same  gentle  treatment,  if  you  want  to 
get  them  without  trouble  ;  for  the  horse,  in  his  natu- 
ral state,  is  as  wild  as  any  of  the  undomesticated 
animals,  though  more  easily  tamed  than  the  most 
of  them. 

HOW    TO    STABLE    A    COLT. 

The  next  step  will  be  to  get  the  horse  into  a  stable 
or  shed.  This  should  be  done  as  quietly  as  possible, 
80  as  not  to  excite  any  suspicion  in  the  horse  of  any 
danger  befalling  him.  The  best  way  to  do  this,  is 
to  lead  a  broken  horse  into  the  stable  first  and  hitch 


8  RAREY    ON    HORSE-TAMING. 

him,  then  quietly  walk  around  the  colt  and  let  him 
go  in  of  his  own  accord.  Be  extremely  deliberate 
and  slow  in  your  movements,  for  one  wrong  move 
may  frighten  your  horse,  and  make  him  think  it 
necessary  to  escape  at  all  hazards  for  the  safety  of 
his  life — and  thus  make  two  hours'  work  of  a  ten 
minutes'  job  ;  and  this  would  be  all  your  own  fault, 
and  entirely  unnecessary — for  he  Avill  not  run  unless 
you  run  after  him,  nor  will  he  try  to  break  away 
unless  you  attempt  to  force  him  into  measures.  If 
he  does  not  see  the  way  at  once,  and  is  a  little  fret- 
ful about  going  in,  do  not  undertake  to  drive  him, 
but  give  him  a  little  less  room  outside,  by  gently 
closing  in  around  him.  Do  not  raise  your  arms,  but 
let  them  hang  at  your  side,  for  you  might  as  well 
raise  a  club  :  the  horse  has  never  studied  anatomy, 
and  does  not  know  but  they  will  unhinge  themselves 
and  fly  at  him.  If  he  attempts  to  turn  back,  walk 
before  him,  but  do  not  run ;  and  if  he  gets  past  you, 
encircle  him  again  in  the  same  quiet  manner,  and  he 
will  soon  find  that  you  are  not  going  to  hurt  him ; 
and  then  you  can  walk  so  close  around  him  that  he 
will  go  into  the  stable  for  more  room,  and  to  get 
farther  from  you.  As  soon  as  he  is  in,  remove  the 
quiet  horse  and  shut  the  door.  This  will  be  his  first 
notion  of  confinement — not  knowing  how  he  got  into 
such  a  place,  nor  how  to  get  out  of  it.  That  he  may 
take  it  as  quietly  as  possible,  see  that  the  shed  is  en- 
tirely free  from  dogs,  chickens,  or  anything  that 
would  annoy  him.  Then  give  him  a  few  ears  of 
corn,  and  let  him  remain  alone  fifteen   or  twenty 


HALTERING    AND    SADDLING.  9 

minutes,  until  he  has  examined  his  apartment,  and 
has  become  reconciled  to  his  confinement.  And 
now,  while  your  horse  is  eating  those  few  ears  of 
corn,  see  that  your  halter  is  ready  and  all  right,  and 
reflect  upon  the  best  mode  of  operations ;  for,  in 
horse-breaking,  it  is  highly  important  that  you 
should  be  governed  by  some  system. 

THE    KIND    OF    HALTER,  AND    HOW  TO    PUT    IT    ON. 

Never  use  a  rope  halter.  The  cords  of  the  rope 
are  hard,  and  appear  to  aggravate  and  excite  distrust 
rather  than  confidence ;  but  by  all  means  procure  a 
leather  halter  made  of  bridle  leather,  so  it  will  feel 
soft  and  pliable  to  the  touch,  and  to  fit  tolerably 
tight  on  the  head,  so  as  not  to  feel  uncomfortable. 
Before  putting  a  halter  upon  the  colt,  he  must  be 
rendered  familiar  with  it  by  caressing  him  and  per- 
mitting him  to  examine  the  article  with  his  nose. 
Then  place  a  portion  of  it  over  his  head,  occasion- 
ally giving  it  a  slight  pull,  and  in  a  few  minutes  he 
will  be  accustomed  to  these  liberties,  and  then  the 
halter  may  be  fastened  on  properly.  To  teach  him 
to  lead  is  another  difliculty.  Stand  a  little  on  one 
side,  rub  his  nose  and  forehead,  take  hold  of  the  strap 
and  pull  gently,  and  at  the  same  time  touch  him  very 
lightly  with  the  end  of  a  long  whip  across  his  hind 
legs.  This  will  make  him  start  and  advance  a  few 
steps.  Repeat  the  operation  several  times,  and  he 
will  soon  learn  to  follow  you  by  simply  pulling  the 
halter.  The  mouth  of  the  colt  should  be  frequently 
handled,  after  which  introduce  a  plain  snafile   be- 


10  RAREY    ON    HORSE-TAMING. 

tween  his  teeth  and  hold  it  there  with  one  hand  and 
caress  him  with  the  other.  After  a  time  he  will  al- 
low the  bridle  to  be  placed  upon  him.  The  saddle 
can  now  be  brought  in  and  rubbed  against  his  nose, 
his  neck  and  his  legs ;  next  hang  the  stirrup  strap 
across  his  back,  and  gradually  insinuate  the  saddle 
into  its  place.  The  girth  should  not  be  fastened 
until  he  becomes  thoroughly  acquainted  with  the 
saddle.  The  first  time  the  girth  is  buckled  it  should 
be  done  so  loosely  as  not  to  attract  his  attention  ; 
subsequently  it  can  be  tightened  without  inspiring 
him  with  fear,  which  if  fastened  immediately  it  would 
most  certainly  do.  In  this  manner  the  wildest  colt 
can  be  effectually  subjugated  by  such  imperceptible 
degrees  that  he  gives  tacit  obedience  before  he  is 
aware  of  his  altered  condition. 

HOW  TO  PROCEED  AFTER  HALTERING. 

The  first  time  you  halter  a  colt  you  should  stand 
on  the  left  side,  pretty  well  back  to  his  shoulder, 
only  taking  hold  of  that  part  of  the  halter  that  goes 
around  his  neck,  then  Avith  your  two  hands  about 
his  neck,  you  can  hold  his  head  to  you,  and  raise  the 
halter  on  it  without  making  him  dodge,  by  putting 
your  hands  about  his  nose.  You  should  have  a  long 
rope-  or  strap  ready,  and  as  soon  as  you  have  the 
halter  on,  attach  this  to  it,  so  that  j^ou  can  let  him 
walk  the  length  of  the  stable  without  letting  go  the 
strap,  or  witliout  n:aking  him  pull  on  the  halter  ;  for 
if  you  only  let  him  feel  the  weight  of  your  hand  on 
the  halter,  and  give   him  more  rope  when  he  runs 


MANAGEMENT    AFTER    HALTERING.  11 

from  you,  he  will  never  rear,  pull  or  throw  himself, 
yet  you  will  be  holding  him  all  the  time,  and  doing 
more  towards  gentling  him  than  if  you  had  the 
power  to  snub  him  right  up,  and  hold  him  to  one 
spot ;  because  he  knows  nothing  about  his  strength, 
and  if  you  don't  do  anything  to  make  him  pull,  he 
will  never  know  what  he  can  do  in  that  way.  In  a 
few  minutes  you  can  begin  to  control  him  with  the 
halter,  then  shorten  the  distance  between  yourself 
and  the  horse  by  taking  up  the  strap  in  your  hand. 
As  soon  as  he  will  allow  you  to  hold  him  by  a  tole- 
rably short  strap,  and  to  step  up  to  him  without  fly- 
ing back,  you  can  begin  to  give  him  some  idea  about 
leading.  But  to  do  this,  do  not  go  before  and 
attempt  to  pull  him  after  you,  but  commence  by 
pulling  him  very  quietly  to  one  side.  He  has 
nothing  to  brace  either  side  of  his  neck,  and  will 
soon  yield  to  a  steady,  gradual  pull  of  the  halter ; 
and  as  soon  as  you  have  pulled  him  a  step  or  two  to 
one  side,  step  to  him  and  caress  him,  and  then  pull 
him  again,  repeating  this  operation  until  you  can 
pull  him  in  every  direction,  and  walk  about  the 
stable  with  him  ;  which  you  can  do  in  a  few  minutes, 
for  he  will  soon  think  when  you  have  made  him 
step  to  the  right  or  left  a  few  times,  that  he  is  com- 
pelled to  follow  the  pull  of  the  halter,  not  knowing 
that  he  has  the  power  to  resist  your  pulling ;  besides, 
you  have  handled  him  so  gently  that  he  is  not  afraid 
of  you,  but  rather  hkes  you.  After  you  have  given 
him  a  few  lessons  of  this  kind,  at  proper  intervals, 
he  will   be  so  tame  that  if  you  turn  him  out  to  pas- 


12  RAREV    ON    HORSE-TAMI\G. 

ture  he  will  come  up  to  you  to  be  caressed  everj 
oppoi-tuiiity  he  gets. 

While  training  him  in  the  stable,  you  should  lead 
him  about  some  time  before  you  take  him  out 
opening  the  door,  so  that  he  can  see  out,  leading 
him  up  to  it  and  back  again,  and  then  past  it.  See 
that  there  is  nothing  on  the  outside  to  make  him 
jump  when  you  take  him  out,  and  as  you  go  out 
with  him,  try  to  make  him  go  very  slowly,  catching 
hold  of  the  halter  close  to  the  jaw  with  your  left 
hand,  while  the  right  is  resting  on  the  top  of  his 
neck,  holding  to  his  mane.  Do  not  allow  any  one 
to  be  present  or  in  sight,  during  your  operations, 
either  in  or  outside  the  stable.  If  you  are  entirely 
alone,  and  manage  your  colt  rightly,  you  will  soon 
be  able  to  lead  and  hold  him  as  easily  as  you  could 
a  horse  already  broken. 

HOW    TO    PROCEED    IF  THE    COLT    IS    STUBBORN. 

If  the  animal  you  are  operating  upon  seems  to  be 
a  stubborn  or  mulish  disposition  rather  than  wild ; 
if  he  lay  back  his  ears  as  you  approach  him,  or 
turns  his  heel  to  kick  you,  he  has  not  that  regard  or 
fear  of  man  that  he  should  have,  to  enable  you  to 
handle  him  quickly  and  easily  ;  and  it  mi-ght  do 
well  ^  to  give  him  a  few  sharp  cuts  with  the  whip, 
about  the  legs,  pretty  close  to  the  body.  It  will 
crack  keen  as  it  plies  about  the  legs,  and  the  crack 
of  the  whip  will  affect  him  as  much  as  the  stroke ; 
besides,  one  sharp  cut  about  the  legs  will  affect  him 
more  than  two  or  three  over  the  back,  the   skin  on 


TREATMENT    OF    STUBBORNNESS.  13 

the  inner  part  of  tlie  legs  or  about  his  flanks  being 
thinner,  and  more  tender  than  on  his  back.  But  do 
not  whip  him  much — -just  enough  to  scare  him  ;  it 
is  not  because  we  want  to  hurt  the  horse  that  we 
whip  him  ;  we  only  do  it  to  scare  that  bad  disposi- 
tion out  of  him.  But  whatever  you  do,  do  quickly, 
sharply  and  Avitli  a  good  deal  of  fire,  but  always 
without  anger.  If  you  go  to  scare  him  at  all,  you 
must  do  it  at  once.  Never  go  into  a  pitched  battle 
with  your  horse,  and  whip  him  until  he  is  mad,  and 
vrill  fight  you  :  you  had  better  not  touch  him  at  all, 
for  you  will  establish,  instead  of  fear  and  regard, 
feelings  of  resentment,  hatred,  and  ill  will.  It  will 
do  him  no  good,  but  harm,  to  strike  him,  unless  you 
can  frighten  him ;  but  if  you  can  succeed  in  fright- 
ening liim,  you  can  whip  him  without  making  him 
mad  ;  for  fear  and  anger  never  exist  together  in  the 
horse,  and  as  soon  as  one  is  visible,  you  will  find 
that  the  other  has  disappeared.  As  soon  as  you 
have  frightened  him,  so  that  he  will  stand  up  straight 
and  pay  some  attention  to  you,  approach  liim  again 
and  caress  him  a  good  deal  more  than  you  whipped 
him  ;  thus  you  will  excite  the  two  controlling  pas- 
sions of  his  nature,  love  and  fear ;  he  will  love,  and 
fear  you  too  ;  and,  as  soon  as  he  learns  what  you 
require,  will  obey  quickly. 

If  the  colt  is  of  too  mulish  a  disposition  to  yield 
to  careful  and  gentle  treatment,  as  here  given,  you 
must  resort  to  the  several  measures  recommended  for 
taming  vicious  horses,  as  explained  elsewhere  in 
these  pages. 


14  RAREY  ON  HORSE-TAMING. 

HOW  TO  LEAD  A  COLT  WITH  A  BROKE  HORSE. 

If  you  should  want  to  lead  your  colt  by  the  side 
of  another  horse,  you  must  first  put  the  horse  into 
a  stable  with  the  colt.  You  now  attach  a  second., 
strap  to  the  colt's  halter,  and  lead  your  horse  up 
alongside  of  him.  Then  get  on  the  broke  horse  and 
take  one  strap  around  his  breast  under  the  martin- 
gale, (if  he  has  any  on,)  holding  it  in  your  left  hand. 
This  will  prevent  the  colt  from  getting  back  too  far ; 
besides,  you  have  more  power  to  hold  him,  with  the 
strap  pulling  against  the  horse's  breast.  The  other 
strap  take  up  in  your  right  hand  to  prevent  him  from 
running  ahead ;  then  turn  him  about  in  the  stable, 
and  if  the  door  is  wide  enough,  ride  out  with  liim  in 
that  position ;  if  not,  take  the  broke  horse  out  first, 
and  stand  his  breast  up  against  the  door,  then  lead 
the  colt  to  the  same  spot  and  take  the  straps  as  be- 
fore directed,  one  on  each  side  of  his  neck,  and  then 
let  some  one  start  the  colt  out,  and  as  the  colt  comes 
out,  turn  your  horse  to  the  left,  and  you  will  have 
them  all  right.  You  can  manage  any  kind  of  a  colt 
in  this  way,  without  trouble  ;  for,  if  he  tries  to  run 
ahead,  or  pull  back,  the  two  straps  will  bring  the 
tv/o  horses  facing  each  other,  so  that  you  can  very 
easily  follow  up  his  movements  without  doing  much 
holding,  and  as  soon  as  he  stops  running  backward, 
you  are  right  with  him,  and  all  ready  to  go  ahead. 
If  he  gets  stubborn  and  does  not  want  to  go,  yon 
can  remove  all  his  stubbornness  by  riding  your  horse 
against  his  neck,  thus   compelling  him  to  turn  to  the 


FIRST    STABLING    OF    THE    COLT.  15 

right ;  and  as  soon  as  you  have  turned  him  about  a 
few  times,  he  will  be  willing  to  go  along.  The  next 
tiling,  after  you  are  through  leading  him,  will  be  to 
take  him  mto  a  stable  and  hitch  him  in  such  a  way 
as  not  to  have  him  pull  on  the  halter,  and  as  they 
are  often  troublesome  to  get  into  a  stable  the  first, 
few  times,  I  will  give  you  some  instructions  about 
getting  him  in. 

HOW  TO  LEAD  THE  COLT  INTO  A  STABLE. 

You  should  lead  the  broken  horse  into  the  stable 
first,  and  get  the  colt,  if  you  can,  to  follow  in  after 
him.  If  he  refuses  to  go,  step  up  to  him,  taking  a 
little  stick  or  switch  in  your  n'ght  hand ;  then  take 
hold  of  the  halter  close  to  his  head  with  your  left 
hand,  at  the  same  time  reaching  over  his  back  with 
your  right  ann  so  that  you  can  tap  him  on  the  oppo- 
site side  with  your  switch  ;  bring  him  up  facing  the 
door,  tap  him  slightly  with  your  switch,  reaching  as 
far  back  with  it  as  you  can.  This  tapping,  by  being 
pretty  well  back,  and  on  the  opposite  side,  will  drive 
him  ahead,  and  keep  him  close  to  you;  then  by 
giving  him  the  right  direction  with  your  left  hand 
you  can  walk  into  the  stable  with  him.  I  have 
walked  colts  into  the  stable  this  way  in  less  than  a 
minute,  after  men  had  worked  at  them  half  an  hour, 
trying  to  pull  them  in.  If  you  cannot  walk  him  in 
at  once  in  tliis  way,  turn  him  about  and  walk  him 
around  a  while  until  you  can  get  him  up  to  the  door 
without  pulling  at  him.  Then  let  him  stand  a  few 
minutes,  keeping  his  head  in  the  right  direction  with 


16  RAREY    ON    HORSE-TAMI^G. 

the  halter,  and  he  will  soon  walk  in  of  his  own  ac- 
cord. Never  attempt  to  pull  the  colt  into  the  stable ; 
that  would  make  him  think  at  once  that  it  was  a 
dangerous  place,  and  If  he  was  not  afraid  of  it  be- 
fore he  \yould  be  then.  Besides,  we  do  not  want 
him  to  know  anythmg  about  palling  on  tlie  halter. 
If  you  want  to  tie  up  your  colt,  put  him  in  a  tole- 
rably wide  stall,  wliich  should  not  be  too  long,  and 
should  be  connected  by  a  bar  or  something  of  that 
kind  to  the  partition  behind  it ;  so  that,  after  the 
colt  is  in  he  cannot  go  fal-  enough  back  to  take  a 
straight,  backAvard  pull  on  the  halter ;  then  by 
tying  him  in  the  center  of  the  stall,  it  would  be  im- 
possible for  him  to  pull  on  the  halter,  the  partition 
behmd  preventing  him  from  going  back,  and  the 
halter  in  the  center  checking  him  every  time  he 
turns  to  the  nght  or  left.  In  a  stall  of  this  knid 
you  can  break  any  horse  to  stand  tied  with  a  light 
strap,  anywhere,  without  his  ever  knowing  anything 
about  pulling.  For  if  you  have  broken  your  horse 
to  lead,  and  have  taught  him  the  use  of  the  halter 
(which  you  should  always  do  before  you  hitch  him 
to  anything),  you  can  hitch  him  in  any  kind  of  a 
stall,  and  if  you  give  him  something  to  eat  to  keep 
him  U})  to  his  place  for  a  few  minutes  at  first,  there 
is  not  one  colt  in  fifty  that  will  pull  on  his  halter,  or 
ever  attempt  to  do  so. 

This  is  an  im])ortant  feature  in  breaking  the  colt, 
for  if  he  is  allowed  to  pull  on  the  halter  at  all,  and 
particularly  if  he  finds  out  that  he  can  break  the 
halter,  he  will  never  be  safe. 


POWELL  S    SYSTEM    EXPLAINED.  1'?' 

POWELL'S    MANAGEMENT    OF    WILD    HORSES. 

Cause  your  horse  or  colt  to  be  put  in  a  smalii 
yard,  stable,  or  room.  If  in  a  stable  or  room,  it 
ought  to  be  large  in  order  to  give  him  some  exer- 
cise with  the  halter  before  you  lead  him  out.  If 
the  horse  belongs  to  that  class  which  only  appears 
to  fear  man,  you  must  introduce  yourself  gently  into 
the  stable,  room,  or  yard  where  the  horse  is.  He 
will  naturally  run  from  3^ou,  and  frequently  turn  •his 
head  towards  you ;  but  you  must  walk  about  ex- 
tremely slow  and  softly,  so  that  he  can  see  you 
whenever  he  turns  his  head  towards  you,  which  he 
never  fails  to  do  in  a  short  time — in  a  quarter  or 
half  an  hour,  I  never  knew  one  to  be  much  longer 
without  turning  his  head  towards  me.  At  the  very 
moment  he  turns  his  head,  hold  out  your  left  hand 
towards  him,  and  stand  perfectly  still,  keeping  your 
eyes  upon  the  horse,  watching  his  motions,  if  he 
make  any.  If  the  horse  does  not  stir  for  ten  or  fif- 
teen minutes,  advance  as  slowly  as  possible,  and 
without  making  the  least  noise,  always  holding  out 
your  left  hand.  If  the  horse  makes  the  least  mo- 
tion when  you  advance  towards  him,  stop  and  re- 
main perfectly  still  until  he  is  quiet.  Remain  a  few 
moments  in  this  condition,  and  then  advance  again 
in  the  same  slow  and  almost  imperceptible  manner. 
If  the  horse  then  stirs  again,  stop  without  changing 
your  position.  It  is  very  uncommon  for  the  horse 
to  stir  more  than  once  after  you  begin  to  advance ; 
yot  there  are  some  exceptions.  He  generally  keeps 
2 


18  RAREY    ON    HORSE-TAMING. 

his  eyes  steadfast  upon  you,  until  you  get  near 
enough  to  touch  liim  on  the  foreliead.  When  you 
are  thus  near  to  him,  raise  slowly  and  by  degrees 
your  hand,  and  let  it  come  in  contact  with  that  part 
just  above  the  nostrils,  as  hghtly  as  possible.  If 
the  horse  flinches  (as  many  will),  repeat  with  great 
rapidity  these  light  strokes  upon  the  forehead,  going 
a  little  further  up  towards  his  ears  by  degrees,  anc 
descending  with  the  same  rapidity  until  he  will  le,' 
you  handle  his  forehead  all  over.  Now  let  the 
strokes  be  repeated  TN-ith  more  force  over  all  his 
forehead,  descendbig  by  Hghter  strokes  to  each  side 
of  liis  head,  until  you  can  handle  that  part  with 
equal  facility.  .  Then  touch  in  the  same  light  man- 
ner, making  your  hands  and  fingers  play  around  the 
lower  part  of  the  horse's  ears,  coming  down  now 
and  then  to  his  forehead,  which  may  be  looked  upor 
as  the  helm  that  governs  all  the  rest. 

Having  succeeded  in  handling  his  ears,  advance 
towards  the  neck,  with  the  same  precautions,  and  in 
the  same  manner ;  observing  always  to  augment  the 
force  of  the  strokes  whenever  the  horse  will  permit 
it.  Perform  the  same  on  both  sides  of  the  neck, 
until  he  lets  you  take  it  in  your  arms  without 
flinching. 

Proceed  in  the  same  progressive  manner  to  the 
sides,  and  then  to  the  back  of  the  horse.  Every 
time  the  horse  shows  any  nervousness,  return  imme- 
diately to  the  forehead,  as  the  true  standard,  patting 
him  with  your  hands,  and  thence  rapidly  to  where 
you  had  alrerdy  arrived,  always  gaining  ground  a 


Powell's  system  explained.  19 

considerable  distance  further  on  every  time  this 
happens.  The  head,  ears,  neck,  and  body  being 
thus  gentled,  proceed  from  the  baclj  to  the  root  of 
the  tail. 

This  must  be  managed  with  dexterity,  as  a  horse 
is  never  to  be  depended  on  that  is  skittish  about  the 
tail.  Let  your  hand  fall  lightly  and  rapidly  on  that 
part  next  to  the  body  a  minute  or  two,  and  then  you 
will  begin  to  give  it  a  slight  pull  upwards  every 
quarter  of  a  minute.  At  the  same  time  you  con- 
tinue this  handling  of  him,  augment  the  force  of  the 
strokes  as  well  as  the  raising  of  the  tail,  until  you 
can  raise  it  and  handle  it  with  the  greatest  ease, 
which  commonly  happens  in  a  quarter  of  an  hour  in 
most  horses,  in  others  almost  immediately,  and  in 
some  much  longer.  It  now  remains  to  handle  all 
his  legs  ;  from  the  tail  come  back  again  to  the  head 
— handle  it  well,  as  likewise  the  ears,  breast,  neck, 
&c.,  speaking  now  and  then  to  the  horse.  Begin  by 
degrees  to  descend  to  the  legs,  always  ascending  and 
descending,  gaining  ground  every  time  you  descend, 
until  you  get  to  his  feet. 

Talk  to  the  horse  Avhile  you  are  thus  taming  him ; 
let  him  hear  the  sound  of  your  voice,  which  at  the 
beginning  of  the  operation  is  not  quite  so  necessary, 
but  which  I  have  always  done  in  making  him  lift  np 
his  feet.  "  Hold  up  your  foot,"  you  will  say,  at  the 
same  time  lifting  np  his  foot  with  your  hand.  He 
soon  becomes  familiar  with  the  sounds,  and  Avill  hold 
up  his  foot  at  command.  Then,  proceed  to  the  hind 
feet,  and  s:o  on  in  the  same  manner  ;  and  in  a  short 


."^0  RAREV    OX    HORSE-TA-MING. 

time  the  liorse  will  let  you  lift  them,  and  even  take 
ihem  lip  in  your  arms. 

All  this  operation  is  no  magnetism,  no  galvanism  ; 
it  is  merely  taking  away  the  fear  the  horse  generally 
lias  of  man,  and  familianzing  the  animal  witli  his 
master.  As  the  liorse  doubtless  experiences  a  certain 
pleasure  from  this  handling,  he  ^\'ill  soon  become 
gentle  under  it,  and  show  very  marked  attachment 
to  his  keeper. 

THE    KIND    OF  BIT  TO  BE  USED,  AND  HOW  TO  USE  IT. 

In  first  accustoming  a  colt  to  the  bit,  you  should 
use  a  large,  smooth  snaffle,  so  as  not  to  hurt  his 
mouth,  with  a  bar  at  each  side  to  prevent  it  from 
pulling  through  either  way.  This  should  be  attach- 
ed to  the  head-stall  of  your  bridle,  and  put  it  on 
your  colt  without  any  reins  to  it,  and  let  him  run 
loose  in  a  large  stable  or  shed,  some  time,  until  he 
becomes  a  little  used  to  the  bit,  and  will  bear  it  with- 
out trying  to  get  it  out  of  his  mouth.  Repeat  this 
several  times,  before  you  do  anything  more  with  the 
colt ;  and  as  soon  as  he  will  bear  the  bit,  attach  a 
single  rein  to  it,  without  any  martingale.  You 
should  also  have  a  halter  on  your  colt,  or  a  bridle 
made  after  the  fashion  of  a  halter,  with  a  strap  to  it, 
so  that  you  can  hold  or  lead  him  about  without  pull- 
ing much  on  the  bit. 

rarmer>s  often  put  bitting  harness  on  a  colt  the 
first  thing  they  do  to  him,  buckling  it  on  as  tight  as 
they  can  draw  it,  to  make  him  carry  his  head  high, 
And  then  turn  him  out  in  a  lot,  to  run  half  a  dav  Jlt 


MANACxEMENT    WITH     THE     BIT.  21 

a  time.  This  is  one  of  the  very  worst  punishraents 
they  can  inflict  on  a  colt,  and  is  very  injurious  to  a 
young  horse  that  has  been  used  to  running  in  pas- 
ture with  his  liead  down.  1  have  seen  colts  so 
injured  in  this  way  that  they  never  got  over  it. 

A  horse  should  be  well  accustomed  to  the  bit  be- 
fore you  put  on  the  bitting  harness,  and  wlien  you 
first  bit  him  you  should  only  rein  his  head  up  to  the 
point  where  he  naturally  holds  it,  let  that  point  be 
high  or  low  ;  he  will  soon  learn  that  he  cannot  lower 
his  head,  and  that  raising  it  a  little  will  loosen  the 
bit  in  his  mouth.  This  will  give  him  an  idea  of 
raising  his  head  to  loosen  the  bit ;  and  then  you  can 
draw  the  bitting  a  little  tighter  every  time  you  put 
it  on,  and  he  will  still  raise  his  head  to  loosen  it. 
By  this  means  you  will  gradually  get  his  head  and 
neck  in  the  position  you  want  him  to  carry  it,  and 
give  him  a  nice  and  graceful  carriage  without  hurt- 
ing him,  making  him  mad,  or  causing  his  mouth  to 
get  sore.  Horses  that  have  their  heads  drawn  up 
tightly,  should  not  have  the  bitting  on  more  than  fif- 
teen minutes  at  a  time. 

HOW    TO    SADDLE    A    COLT. 

Any  one  man  who  has  tbis  theory,  can  put  a  saddle 
on  the  wildest  horse  that  ever  grew,  without  any 
help,  and  without  scaring  him.  The  first  thing  T\dll 
be  to  tie  each  stirrup  strap  into  a  loose  knot,  to  make 
them  short  and  prevent  the  stirrups  from  flying  about 
and  hitting  him.  Then  double  up  the  skirts  and  take 
the  saddle  under  your  right  arm,  so  as  not  to  frighten 


22  RARBV    ON    HURSE-TAMi\G. 

him  witli  it  when  you  approach.  When  you  get  to 
him,  rub  him  gently  a  few  times  with  your  hand, 
then  raise  the  saddle  very  slowly,  until  he  can  see 
it,  and  smell,  and  feel  it  with  his  nose.  Then  let  the 
skirts  loose,  and  rub  it  very  gently  against  his  neck 
the  way  the  hair  lays,  letting  him  hear  the  rattle  of 
the  skirts  as  he  feels  them  against  him ;  each  time  a 
little  further  backward,  and  finally  slip  it  over  on 
his  SSck.  Shake  it  a  little  with  your  hand,  and  in 
less  than  five  minutes  you  can  rattle  it  about  over 
his  back  as  you  please,  and  pull  it  off  and  throw  it 
on  again,  without  his  paying  much  attention  to  it. 

As  soon  as  you  have  accustomed  him  to  the  saddle, 
fasten  the  girth.  Be  careful  how  you  do  this.  It 
often  frightens  the  colt  when  he  feels  the  girth  bind- 
ing him,  and  making  the  saddle  fit  tight  on  his  back. 
You  should  bring  up  the  girth  very  gently,  and  not 
draw  it  too  tight  at  first,  just  enough  to  hold  the 
saddle  on.  Move  him  a  little,  and  then  girth  it  as 
tight  as  you  choose,  and  he  will  not  mind  it. 

You  should  see  that  the  pad  of  your  saddle  is  all 
right  before  you  put  it  on,  and  that  there  is  nothing 
to  make  it  hurt  him,  or  feel  unpleasant  to  his  back. 
It  should  not  have  any  loose  straps  on  the  back  part 
of  it,  to  flap  about  and  scare  him.  After  you  havL 
saddled  him  in  this  way,  take  a  switch  in  your  right 
hand  to  tap  him  up  with,  and  walk  about  in  the 
stable  a  few  times  with  your  right  arm  over  your 
saddle,  taking  hold  of  the  reins  on  each  side  of  his 
neck  with  your  right  and  left  hands,  thus  marching 
him  about  in  the  stable  until  you  teach  him  the  use 


IRKATMENT    OF    THE    COLT.  23 

of  the  bridle  and  can  turn  bim  about  in  any  direc-    . 
tion,  and   stop   him  by  a   gentle  pull   of   the  rein. 
Always  caress  him,  and  loose  the  reins  a  little  every 
time  you  stop  hmi. 

You  should  always  be  alone,  and  have  your  colt  j 
in  some  light  stable  or  shed  the  first  time  you  ride  ,.  >.^ 
him  ;  the  loft  should  be  high,  so  that  you  can  sit  on 
his  back  without  vjndangering  your  head.  You  can 
teach  him  more  in  two  hours*  time  in  a  stable'*^  tliis 
kind,  than  you  could  in  two  weeks  in  the  common 
way  of  breaking  colts,  out  in  an  open  place.  If  you 
follow  my  course  of  treatment,  you  need  not  run  any 
risk,  or  have  any  trouble  in  riding  the  worst  kind  of 
horse.  You  take  him  a  step  at  a  time,  until  you  get 
up  a  mutual  confidence  and  trust  between  yourself 
and  horse.  First  teach  him  to  lead  and  stand 
hitched ;  next  acquaint  him  with  the  saddle,  and  the 
use  of  the  bit ;  and  then  all  that  remains  is  to  get  on 
him  without  scaring  him,  and  you  can  ride  him  as 
well  as  any  horse. 

HOW    TO    MOUNT    THE    COLT. 

Fu'st  gentle  him  Avell  on  both  sides,  about  the 
saddle  and  all  over,  until  he  will  stand  still  without 
holding,  and  is  not  afraid  to  see  you  anywhere  about 
him.  As  soon  as  you  have  him  well  gentled,  get  a 
small  block  about  one  foot  or  eighteen  inches  in 
height,  and  set  it  down  by  the  side  of  him,  about 
where  you  w^ant  to  stand  to  mount  him  ;  step  up  on 
this,  raising  yourself  very  gently.  Horses  notice 
every  change  of  position  very  closely,  and  if  you 


24  RAREY    ON    HORSE-TAMING. 

were  to  step  up  suddenly  on  the  block,  it  would  be 
very  apt  to  scare  him  ;  but  by  raising  yourself  gi-a- 
dually  on  it,  he  will  see  you,  A\qthout  being  fright- 
ened, in  a  position  very  near  the  same  as  when  yon 
are  on  his  back.  As  soon  as  he  will  bear  this  with- 
out alarm,  untie  the  stin-up  strap  next  to  you,  and 
put  your  left  foot  in  the  stirrup,  and  stand  square 
over  it,  holding  your  knee  against  the  horse,  and 
your  toe  out,  so  as  to  touch  him  under  the  fore- 
shoulder  with  the  toe  of  your  boot.  Place  your 
right  hand  on  the  front  of  the  saddle,  and  on  the 
opposite  side  of  you,  taking  hold  of  a  portion  of 
the  mane  and  reins  (they  hang  ■  loosely  over  his 
neck),  with  your  left  hand,  then  gradually  bear  your 
weight  on  the  stirrup,  and  on  your  right  hand,  until 
the  horse  feels  your  whole  weight  on  the  stin-up  ; 
repeat  this  several  times,  each  time  raising  yourself 
a  little  higher  from  the  block,  until  he  will  allow  you 
to  raise  your  leg  over  his  croup,  and  place  yourself 
in  the  saddle.  Another,  and  in  some  cases  a  better 
way  of  mounting,  is  to  press  the  palm  of  your  right 
hand  on  the  off-side  of  the  saddle,  and  as  you  rise 
lean  your  weight  on  it.  By  this  means  you  can 
mount  Avith  the  girths  loose,  or  without  any  girths 
at  all. 

There  are  three  great  advantages  in  having  a 
block  to  mount  from.  First,  a  sudden  change  of  po- 
sition is  very  apt  to  frighten  a  young  horse  that  has 
never  been  handled ;  he  will  allow  you  to  walk  to 
him,  and  stand  by  his  side  without  scaring  at  you, 
because  you  have  gentled  him  to  that  position  ;    but 


TREATMENT    OF    THE    COLT.  25 

if  you  get  down  on  jour  hands  and  knees  and  crawl 
towards  hiin,  lie  will  be  very  much  frightened  ;  and 
upon  the  same  principle,  he  would  frighten  at  your 
new  position  if  you  had  the  power  to  hold  yourself 
over  his  back  without  touching  him.  Then  the  first 
great  advantage  of  the  block  Is  to  gradually  gentle 
him  to  that  new  position  in  which  he  will  see  you 
when  you  ride  him.  Secondly,  by  the  process  of 
holding  your  Aveight  In  the  stirrups,  and  on  your 
hand,  you  can  gradually  accustom  him  to  your 
weight,  so  as  not  to  frighten  him  by  having  him  feel 
it  all  at  once.  And,  in  the  third  place,  the  block 
elevates  you  so  that  you  will  not  have  to  make  a 
spring  In  order  to  get  on  the  horse's  back,  but  from 
it  you  can  gradually  raise  yourself  into  the  saddle- 
When  you  take  these  precautions,  there  is  no  horse 
so  wild  but  what  you  can  mount  him  without  making 
him  jump.  I  have  tried  it  on  the  worst  horses  that 
could  be  found,  and  have  never  failed  in  any  case. 
When  mounting,  your  horse  should  always  stand 
without  being  held.  A  horse  is  ne,ver  well  broke 
when  he  has  to  be  held  with  a  tight  rein  when 
mounting ;  and  a  colt  is  never  so  safe  to  mount  as 
when  you  see  that  assurance  of  confidence,  and  ab- 
sence of  fear,  which  cause  him  to  stand  without 
holding. 

HOW    TO    RIDE    THE    COLT. 

When  you  want  him  to  start,  do  not  touch  him  on 
the  side  with  your  heel,  or  do  anything  to  frighten 
him  and  make  him  jump.     But  speak  to  him  kindly, 


26  RAREY    ON    HORSE-TAMING. 

and  if  he  does  not  start,  pull  him  a  little  to  the  left 
until  he  starts,  then  let  him  walk  off  slowly  with  the 
reins  loose.  Walk  him  around  in  the  stable  a  few 
times  until  he  gets  used  to  the  bit,  and  you  can 
turn  him  about  in  every  direction  and  stop  him  as 
you  please.  It  will  be  well  to  get  on  and  off  a  good 
many  times  until  he  gets  perfectly  used  to  it  before 
you  take  him  out  of  the  stable.  After  you  have 
trained  him  in  tliis  way,  which  should  not  take 
more  than  two  or  three  hours,  you  can  ride  him 
anywhere  you  choose  without  ever  having  him  jump 
or  make  an  effort  to  throw  you. 

When  you  first  take  him  out  of  the  stable,  be 
very  gentle  with  him,  as  he  will  feel  a  little  more  at 
liberty  to  jump  or  run,  and  be  easier  frightened  than 
he  was  while  in  the  stable  ;  but  you  will  neverthe- 
less find  liim  pretty  well  broke,  and  will  be  able  to 
manage  him  without  trouble  or  danger. 

When  you  first  mount  a  colt,  take  a  little  the 
shortest  hold  on  the  left  rein,  so  that  if  anything 
frightens  him,  you  can  prevent  him  from  jumping  by 
pulling  his  head  around  to  you.  This  operation  of 
pulling  a  horse's  head  around  against  his  side,  will 
prevent  him  from  jumping  ahead,  rearhig  up,  or 
running  away.  If  he  is  stubborn  and  will  not  go, 
you  can  make  1dm  move  by  pulling  his  head  around 
to  one  side,  when  whipping  him  would  have  no  ef- 
fect. And  turning  him  around  a  few  tunes  will 
make  him  dizzy,  and  then  by  lettuig  him  have  his 
head  straight,  and  giving  him  a  little  touch  with  the 
whip,  he  will  go  along  without  any  trouble. 


TREATMENT    OF    THE    COLT.  27 

Never  use  martingales  on  a  colt  wlien  you  first 
ride  him ;  every  nwvement  of  the  hand  should  go 
right  to  the  bit  in  the  direction  in  which  it  is  applied 
to  the  reins,  without  a  martingale  to  change  the  di- 
rection of  the  force  applied.  You  can  guide  the  colt 
much  better  without  it,  and  teach  him  the  use  of  the 
bit  in  much  less  time.  Besides,  martingales  would 
prevent  you  from  pulling  his  head  round  if  he 
should  try  to  jump. 

After  your  colt  has  been  ridden  until  he  is  gentle 
and  well  accustomed  to  the  bit,  you  may  find  it  an 
advantage,  if  he  carries  his  head  too  high  or  his  nose 
too  far  out,  to  put  martingales  on  him. 

You  should  be  careful  not  to  ride  your  colt  so  far 
at  first  as  to  heat,  worry,  or  tire  him.  Get  off  as 
soon  as  you  see  he  is  a  little  fatigued ;  gentle  him 
■and  let  him  rest ;  this  will  make  liuu  kind  to  you, 
and  prevent  him  from  getting  stubborn  or  mad. 

TO  BREAK  A  HORSE  TO  HARNESS. 

Take  him  in  a  tight  stable,  as  you  did  to  ride 
him  ;  take  the  harness  and  go  through  the  same  pro- 
cess that  you  did  with  the  saddle,  imtil  you  get  him 
familiar  with  them,  so  you  can  put  them  on  his 
back  and  rattle  them  about  without  his  caring  for 
them.  As  soon  as  he  will  bear  them,  put  on  the 
dnes,  caress  him  as  you  draw  them  over  him,  and 
"diive  him  about  in  the  stable  till  he  will  bear  them 
over  his  hips.  The  lines  are  a  great  aggravation  to 
some  colts,  and  often  frighten  them  as  much  as  if 
you  were  to  raise  a  whip  over  them.     As  soon  as  he 


28  RAREY    0\    HORSE-TAMING. 

is  familiar  with  the  harness  and  lines,  take  him  out 
and  put  him  by  the  side  of  a  gentle  horse,  and  go 
tthrongli  the  same  process  that  you  did  with  the 
'balking  horse.  Always  use  a  bridle  without  blinds 
when  you  are  breaking  a  horse  to  harness. 

HOW    TO    HITCH    A    HORSE    IN    A    SULKY. 

Lead  him  to  and  around  it ;  let  him  look  at  it, 
touch  it  with  his  nose,  ajid  stand  by  it- until  he  does 
not  care  for  it ;  then  pull  the  shafts  a  little  to  the 
left,  and  stand  your  horse  in  front  of  the  off  wheel. 
Let  some  one  stand  on  the  right  side  of  the  horse 
and  hold  him  by  the  bit,  while  you  stand  on  the  left 
side,  facing  the  sulky.  This  A\-ill  keep  him  straight. 
Run  your  left  hand  back  and  let  it  rest  on  his  hip, 
and  lay  hold  of  the  shafts  with  your  right,  bringing 
them  up  very  gently  to  the  left  hand,  which  still  re- 
mains stationary.  Do  not  let  anything  but  your 
arm  touch  his  back,  and  as  soon  as  you  have  the 
shafts  square  over  him,  let  the  person  on  the  oppo- 
site side  take  hold  of  one  of  them,  and  lower  them 
very  gently  to  the  shaft  bearers.  Be  very  slow  and 
deliberate  about  hitching  ;  the  longer  time  you  take 
the  better,  as  a  general  thing.  When  you  have  the 
shafts  placed,  shake  them  slightly,  so  that  he  will 
feel  them  against  each  side.  As  soon  as  he  will 
bear  them  without  scaring,  fasten  your  braces,  &c., 
and  start  him  along  very  slowly.  Let  one  man  lead 
the  horse  to  keep  him  gentle,  while  the  other  gra- 
dually works  back  with  the  lines  till  he  can  get  be- 
hind and  drive  him.     After  you  have  driven  liim  in 


MANAGEMEx^T    OF    VICIOUS    HORSES.  29 

this  way  a  short  distance,  you  can  get  into  the 
sulky,  and  all  will  go  right.  It  is  very  important 
to  have  your  horse  go  gently  when  you  first  hitch 
him.  After  you  have  walked  him  awhile,  there  is 
not  half  so  much  danger  of  his  scaring.  Men  do 
very  wrong  to  jump  up  behind  a  horse  to  drive  liim 
as  soon  as  they  have  him  hitched.  There  are  too 
many  things  for  him  to  comprehend  all  at  once. 
The  shafts,  the  lines,  the  harness,  and  the  rattling 
of  the  'feulky,  all  tend  to  scare  him,  and  he  must  be 
made  familiar  with  them  by  degrees.  If  your  horse 
is  very  wild,  I  Avould  advise  you  to  put  up  one  foot 
the  first  time  you  drive  him. 

TAMING    A    HORSE    WITH    VICIOUS    HABITS. 

Having  given  full  instructions  relative  to  my  sys- 
tem of  dealing  with  young  colts,  I  Avill  now  proceed 
to  detail  the  plan  of  operations  for  taming  or  sub- 
duing wild  or  vicious  horses.  The  principles  of  this 
method  are  the  same  as  those  in  managing  colts — 
kindness  and  gentleness — but  the  practice  differs. 
When  you  desire  to  subdue  a  horse  that  is  very  wild, 
or  has  a  vicious  disposition,  take  up  one  fore-foot  and 
bend  his  knee  till  his  hoof  is  bottom  upwards,  and 
nearly  touching  his  body ;  then  slip  a  loop  over  his 
knee,  and  shove  it  up  until  it  comes  above  the  pas- 
tern-joint, to  keep  it  up,  being  careful  to  draw  the 
loop  together  betweeikSthe  hoof  and  pastern-joint 
with  a  second  strap  of  some  kind  to  prevent  the 
loop  from  slipping  down  and  coming  off.  This  will 
leave  the  horse  standing   on  three  legs  ;    you  can 


30  BAREY    ON    HORSE-TAiMIMG. 

now  handle  him  as  you  wish,  for  it  is  utterly  impo* 
sible  for  him  to  kick  in  this  position.  There  ii^ 
something  in  this  operation  of  taking  up  one  foot. 
that  conquers  a  horse  quicker  and  better  than  any. 
thing  else  you  can  do  to  him  ;  and  there  is  no  pro 
cess  in  the  world  equal  to  it  to  break  a  kicking  horse, 
for  by  conqering  one  member,  you  conquer,  to  tx 
great  extent,  the  whole  horse. 

You  can  do  anything  you  wish  with  the  horse  in 
this  condition,  as  when  he  becomes  convinced  of  his 
incapacity  to  cope  with  man,  he  will  abandon  all 
antagonistic  demonstrations,  and  become  willing  to 
obey,  and  generally  docile.  Operate  on  your  horse 
in  this  manner  as  often  as  the  occasion  requires,  and 
you  will  soon  find  him  as  gentle  as  his  nature  will 
permit  him  to  be.  By  these  means  the  most  vicious, 
uneasy,  unruly  or  fretful  horse  may  be  cured,  though 
it  depends  upon  the  age  and  disposition  of  the 
animal  how  long  it  will  take  to  make  him  amiable. 
When  you  first  fasten  up  a  horse's  foot,  he  will 
sometimes  get  very  mad,  and  strike  with  his  knee, 
and  try  every  possible  way  to  get  it  down  ;  but  as 
he  cannot  do  that,  he  will  soon  give  up. 

Conquering  a  horse  in  this  manner  is  better  than 
anything  else  you  could  do,  and  leaves  him  without 
any  possible  danger  of  hurting  himself  or  you  either; 
for  after  you  have  tied  up  his  foot,  you  can  sit  down 
and  look  at  him  until  he  gives  up.  When  you  find 
he  is  conquered,  go  to  him,  let  down  his  foot,  rub 
his  leg  with  yoiit  hand,  caress  him,  and  let  him  rest 
a  few  minutes  ;  then  put  it  up  again.     Repeat  this  a 


MANAGEMENT   OF   VICIOUS    HOKSES. 


31 


32  RAREY    ON    HORSE-TAMING. 


W      w 


4^My 


few  tiraes,  ahvays  putting  up  the  same  foot,  and  he 
will  soon  learn  to  travel  on  three  legs,  so  that  you 
can  drive  him  some  distance.  As  soon  as  he  gets  a 
ttle  used  to  this  way  of  traveling,  put  on  your 
a|p_ess  and^hitch  him  to  a  sulky.  If  he  is  the 
worst  kicking  horse  that  ever  raised  a  foot,  you  need 
not  be  fearful  of  his  doing  any  damage  while  he  has 
one  foot  up  ;  for  he  cannot  kick,  neither  can  he  run 
fast  enough  to  do  any  harm.  And  if  he  is  the  wild- 
orse  that  ever  had  harness  on,  and  has  run  away 
every  time  he  has  been  harnessed,  you  can  now  hitch 
him  to  a  sulky  and  drive  him  as  you  please.  If  he 
wants  to  run,  you  can  let  him  have  the  lines,  and 
the  whip  too,  with  perfect  safety  ;  for  he  can  go  but 
a  slow  gait  on  three  legs,  and  will  soon  be  tired  and 
ready  to  stop ;  only  hold  him  enough  to  guide  him  in 
the  right  direction,  and  he  will  soon  be  tired  and 
willing  to  stop  at  the  "vvord.  Thus  you  will  effect- 
ually cure  him  at  once  of  any  further  notion  of  run- 
ning off.  Kicking  horses  have  always  been  the 
dread  of  everybody  ;  you  always  hear  men  sa} , 
when  they  speak  about  a  bad  horse,  "  I  don't  care 
what  he  does,  so  he  don't  kick."  This  new  mode  is 
an  effectual  cure  for  that  worst  of  all  habits.  There 
are  plenty  of  ways  by  which  you  can  hitch  a  kick- 
ing horse,  and  force  him  to  go,  though  he  kicks  all 
the  time ;  but  this  don't  have  any  good  effect 
towards  breaking  him,  for  •#©  know  that  horses 
kick  because  they  are  afraid  of  what  is  behind 
them,  and  when  they  kick  against  it  and  it  hurts 
them,  they  only  kick  the  harder ;  and  this  will  hurt 

W 


MANAGEMENT    OF    VICIOUS    HORSES.  33 


e.     IF 


them  still  more  and  make  them  remember  the  scrape 
much  longer,  and  make  it  still  more  difficult  to  per- 
suade them  to  have  any  confidence  irvanytliing  d 
ging  behind  them  ever  after.  But'  "by  this  ne 
method  you  cail^  harness  them  to  a  rattling  sulky 
plow,  wagon,  or"anything  else  in  its  worst  shape, 
They  may  be  frightened  at  first,  but  cannot  kick  or 
do  anything  to  hurt  themselves,  and  will  soon  find 
that  you  do  not  intend  to  hurt  them,  and  then  they 
will  not  care  anything  more  about  it.  You  can  then  -- 
let  down  the  leg  and  drive  along  gently  without  any 
further  trouble.  By  this  new  process  a  bad  kicking 
horse  can  be  learned  to  go  gentle  in  harness  in  a  few 
hours'  time. 

HOW    TO    iMAKE    A    HORSE    LIE    DOWN. 

Everything  that  we  want  to  teach  the  horse  must 
be  commenced  in  such  a  way  as  to  give  him  an  idea 
of  what  we  want  him  to  do,  and  then  be  repeated 
till  he  learns  it  perfectly.  To  make  a  horse  lie 
down,  bend  his  left  fore-leg  and  slip  a  loop  over  it, 
so  that  he  cannot  get  it  down.  Then  put  a  surcingle 
around  his  body,  and  fiisten  one  end  of  a  long  strap 
around  the  other  fore-leg,  just  above  the  hoof.  Place 
the  other  end  under  the  before-described  surcingle, 
so  as  to  keep  the  strap  in  the  right  direction  ;  take 
a  short  hold  of  it  with  your  right  hand  ;  stand  oa 
the  left  side  of  the  horse  ;  grasp  the  bit  in  your  left 
hand,  pull  steadily  on  the  strap  with  your  right; 
bear  against  his  shoulder  till  you  cause  him  to  move. 
As   soon    as   he   lifts   his  weight,  your   pulling  will 


% 


34  Ki^HEY    ON    HORSE-TA.MLXG. 


r; 

w 


raise  the  t^fher  foot,  and  lie  will  have  to  come  on 
his  knees.  Keep  the  strap  tight  in  your  hand,  so 
that  he  caug|||  straighten  his  leg  if  he  rises  ly. 
lold  him  in  this  position,  and  turn  his  head  towards 
you  ;  bear  against  liis  side  with  your  shoulder,  not 
hard,  but  with  a  steady,  equal  pressure,  and  in  about 
ten  minutes  he  will  lie  down.  As  soon  as  he  lies 
down,  he  will  be  completely  conquered,  and  you  can 
handle  him  as  you  please.  Take  off  the  straps,  and 
straighten  out  his  legs  ;  rub  him  lightly  about  the 
face  and  neck  with  your  hand  the  way  the  hair  lies ; 
handle  all  his  legs,  and  after  he  has  lain  ten  or  twenty 
minutes,  let  him  get  up  again.  After  resting  him  a 
short  time,  make  him  lie  down  as  before.  Repeat 
the  operation  three  or  four  times,  Avhich  will  be  suffi- 
cient for  one  lesson.  Give  him  two  lessons  a  day, 
and  when  you  have  given  him  four  lessons,  he  will 
lie  down  by  taking  hold  of  one  foot.  As  soon  as  he 
.is  well  broken  to  lie  down  in  this  way,  tap  him  on 
the  opposite  leg  with  a  stick  when  you  take  hold  of 
his  foot,  and  in  a  few  days  he  will  lie  down  from  th« 
mei'e  motion  of  the  stick. 

RECAPITULATION,    AND    MINUTE    DIRECTIONS. 

In  practicing  the  foregoing  method  upon  a  colt,  li^ 
should  be  first  accustomed  to  be  handled,  and  tanghi: 
to  lead  easily.  In  approaching  a  spiteful  or  vicious 
horse,  you  had  better  make  your  advances  with  a  half- 
opened  door  between  you  and  him  ;  gradually  make 
his  acquaintance,  and  teach  him  that  you  do  not  care 
tor  his  open  mouth  ;  but  a  regular  biter  must  be  g 


f 


LAYING    THE    HORSE    UOW>>i. 


35 


.> 


1 


s 


^1^^ 


i 


36 


RAREY    ON    HOKSE-TAMING, 


ged  witli  a  wooden  bit  made  for  the  purpose,  so 
large  that  he  cannot  close  his  mouth.  Here  is  the 
kind  of  bit  to  be  used  : 


Of  course  there  is  no  difficulty  in  handling  the  leg 
of  a  quiet  horse  or  colt,  and  bj  constantly  working 
from  the  neck  down  to  the  fetlock,  you  may  do  what 
you  please.  But  many  horses,  and  even  colts,  have 
a  Inost  dangerous  trick  of  striking  out  with  their 
fore-legs.  There  is  no  better  protection  against  this 
than  a  cart-wheel.  The  wheel  may  either  be  used 
loose,  or  the  animal  may  be  led  up  to  a  cart  loaded 
with  hay,  when  the  horse-tamer  can  work  under  the 
cart  through  one  of  the  wheels,  while  the  colt  is 
uibblinji-  the  load. 


Having,  then,  so 
permit  you  to  take 


Strap  No.  1. 

far  soothed  a   colt  that  he  will 
his   leffs  without  resistance. 


up 


take  the  strap  No.  1,  pass 
loop   under  the  buckle  so 


the   tongue  through 


th# 


to  fo 


rm  a  noose, 


slipJj^ 


MA.XAGEMEXT    OF    VICIOUS    HORSES.  37 

over  tlic  near  fore-leg  and  draw  it  close  up  to  the 
pastern-joint,  and  fasten  it  as  represented  in  the  en- 
graving. But  you  must  not  be  rash  in  lifting  the 
leg,  and  employ  .but  little  force  in  doing  so.  It  is 
better  to  wait  initil  he  lifts  it  willingly  by  the  use 
of  gentle  means.  Do  not  get  out  of  temper  if  you 
have  to  make  a  dozen  ineffectual  attempts  to  raise 
it.  The  near  fore-leg  being  securely  strapped,  and 
the  horse  secured  from  biting,  if  necessary,  with  the 
wooden  bit,  (described  elsewhere,)  you  will  then 
make  him  hop  about  as  before  stated.  This  he  will 
learn  to  do  easily.  The  trainer  must,  however,  take 
care  to  keep  behind  his  horse's  shoulder  and  walk  in 
a  circle,  or  he  will  be  likely  to  be  struck  by  the  ani- 
mal's head  or  strapped  up  leg. 

A  horse  can  hop  on  three  legs  for  two  or  three 
miles,  if  you  give  him  his  own  time,  and  no  plan 
that  has  ever  been  tried  is  equal  to  this  for  curing  a 
kicking  or  balky  horse.  After  you  have  tired  him 
out  pretty  well  in  this  manner,  you  proceed  to  make 
him  lie  down,  which  process  requires  considerable 
patience  and  skill.  For  this  purpose  take  strap  No. 
2,  and  making  a  loop  with  it  put  it  round  the  off  fore- 
leg. "With  a  very  quiet  horse  this  can  easily  be 
done  ;  with  a  Avild  or  vicious  horse  you  mav  have  to 
make  him  step  into  it ;  at  any  rate,  when  once  the 
off  fore-leg  is  caught  i^^e  noose  it  must  be  drawu 
tight  round  the  past^Bftoint.  Then  put  a  stout 
glove  on  your  right  na^d,  pass  the  strap  through 
the  belly  part  of  the  surcingle,  take  a  firm  short 
hold  of   it   with  your    gloved    riglit    hand,   standing 


38  RAREY    ON    HORSE-TAMING. 

close  to  the  horse  behind  his  shoulders,  and  with 
your  left  hand  take  hold  of  the  near  rein  ;  by  pull- 
ing the  horse  gently  to  the  near  side  he  will  be 
almost  sure  to  hop  ;  if  he  will  not,  he  must  be  led^ 


Strap  No.  2. 

The  moment  he  lifts  up  his  off  fore-foot,  you  must 
draw  up  strap  No.  2  tightly  and  steadily-  The 
horse  will  then  go  down  on  his  knees,  for  if  you 
hold  the  strap  tight  he  will  not  be  able  to  sti-etch 
out  his  foot  again.  As  soon  as  a  horse  recovers  from 
his  astonishment  at  being  brought  to  his  knees,  he 
begins  to  resist ;  that  is,  he  rears  up  on  his  hind  legs, 
and  springs  about  in  a  manner  that  will  sometinies 
alarm  the  trainer.  [See  picture  of  horse  struggling 
on  page  39.]  During  these  struggles  you  must  not 
try  your  strength  against  the  horse's  strength,  but 
merely  follow  him  about,  holding  the  strap  just  tight 
enough  to  prevent  him  from  r^utting  out  his  off  fore- 
leg. As  long  as  you  keep  ciosc  to  him  and  behind 
his  shoulders,  you  are  in  A-e^y  little  danger.  The 
bridle  in  the  left  hand  must  be  used  like  steering 
lines,  by  pulling  to  the  right  or  left  as  occasion  re- 
quires :   the  horse,  turning  on  his  hind  legs,  may  be 


MANAGEMENT    OF    VICIOUS    HORSES. 


3d 


fatigued  by  being  forced  to  walk  backwards.  Tbe 
strap  passing  through  the  surcingle  keeps,  or  ought 
to  keep,  the  trainer  in  his  right  place — he  is  not  to 
pull  or  in  any  way  fatigue  himself  more  than  he  can 
help,  but,  standing  upright,  simply  follow  the  horse 
about,  guiding  him  wi+h  the  bridle  so  he  will  not 
precipitate  himself  against  the  side  of  the  stable  or 
room  in  which  you  al^exercising  him.  When  held 
ai\d  guided  properly,  he  will  soon  sink  dowii.  Corn- 
fed  horses  will  hold  out  longer  than  grass-fed  ones, 
and  the  most  energetic  horse  will  scarcely  struiroh.i 


40  KAREY    ON    HORSE-TAMING. 

more  tliaii  ten  or  fifteen   minutes.     Usually,  at  the 
end  of  eight  minutes'  violent  strug<i;les,  the  animal 
sinks    forward    on    his    knees,    SAveating    profusely, 
with  heaving  flanks  and   shaking  tail.     If  he  still 
resists  he  may  be  forced  by  the  bit  to  walk  back- 
wards and  forwards,  but  this  is  generally  unneces- 
sary, as  by  pushing  gently  at  his   shoulder,  or  b 
pulling  steadily  the  ofF-reirt»-  you  can  get  him  to  fall, 
in  the  one  case  on  the  near  side,  in  the  other  on  the 
off  side ;  but  this  assistance  should  be  so  slight  that 
the  horse  will   not   attempt  to  resist  it.     The  horse 
will  often  make  a  final  spring  when  you  think  he  is 
q^uite  beaten  ;   but  at  length  he  slides  over,  and  lies 
down,  panting  and  exhausted,  on  his  side.     If  he  is 
a  pretty  spirited  animal,  take  advantage  of  the  mo- 
ment  to  tie  up  the   off  fore-leg  to  the  surcingle,  as 
securely  as  the  other,  in  a  slip-loop  knot. 

Now  let  your  horse  recover  his  wind,  and  then 
encourage  him  to  make  a  second  fight.  It  will  often 
be  more  stubborn  and  more  fierce  than  the  first. 
The  object  of  this  tying-up  operation  is,  that  he  shall 
thoroughly  exhaust  without  hurting  himself,  and  that 
he  shall  come  to  the  conclusion  that  it  is  you  who, 
by  your  superior  strength,  have  conquered  him,  and 
that  you  are  always  able  to  conquer  him. 

Under  the  old  rough-ridinm  system^  the  most  vi- 
cious horses  were  occasionall^^onquered  by  daring 
men  with  fi.rm  seats  and  stron^^rms,  who  rode  and 
flogged  them  into  subjection  ;  but  these  conquests 
Were  temporary,  and  usudllj  personal ;  with  every 
Btxanger,  the  inimal  worJd  begin  his  game  again. 


LAYING    THE    HORSE    DOWN. 


41 


4S  RAREY    ON    HORSE-TAMIXG. 

One  advantage  of  tliis  system  Is,  that  the  horse  is 
allowed  to  exhaust  liimself  under  cu-cumstances  that 
render  it  impossible  for  him  to  struggle  long  enough 
to  do  himself  any  harm.  It  has  been  suggested  that 
a  blood-vessel  would  be  likely  to  be  broken,  or  apo- 
plexy produced  by  the  exertion  of  leaping  from  the 
hind  legs  ;  but,  up  the  present  time,  no  accident  of 
any  kind  has  been  reported. 

TREATMENT  OF  THE  HORSE  AFTER  HE  IS  DOWN. 

"  If  the  horse  has  fought  hard  in  going  down,  he 
will  then  usually  lie  perfectly  still,  and  you  can 
gentle  him,  scrape  the  sweat  oflf,  and  rub  him  down, 
smoothing  the  hair  of  his  legs,  and  drawing  the  fore 
one  straight  out.  In  this  position  you  have  the 
opportunity  of  making  him  perfectly  familiar  with 
you,  and  the  more  you  fondle  him  and  reconcile  him 
to  you  the  better.  If  you  are  treating  an  unbroken 
colt  in  this  way,  you  may  now  mount  his  back,  and 
thus,  by  finding  out  that  you  mean  him  no  harm,  he 
will  learn  to  submit  to  being  mounted  when  he 
stands  up.  You  can  also  lay  a  saddle  or  harness  on 
him  and  familiarize  him  with  those  articles.  His 
head,  tail  and  legs  should  now  be  handled  with  free- 
dom, caressmg  and  talking  to  him  all  the  while.  If 
he  has  hitherto  resisted  shoeing,  handle  all  his  legs 
with  a  view  to  accomplish  it,  and  if  he  attempts  to 
resist,  continue  until  you  subdue  him,  speaking  to 
him  with  a  voice  of  authority.  If  he  is  a  bad 
kicker  you  may  be  obliged  to  confine  his  fore-legs  •, 
and   with   those  tied,   you    may   spend    an    hour  in 


TREATMENT  WHEN  THE  HOUSE   IS  DOWN.         43 


44  RAREY    OX    HORSE-TAMIXG. 

handling  his  legs,  tapping  the  hoofs  with  your  hand 
or  a  hammer — all  this  to  be  done  in  a  firm,  measured, 
soothing  manner  ;  only  now  and  then,  if  he  resist, 
(crying,  as  you  paralyze  him  with  the  ropes,  "Wo  !" 
in  a  determined  m.anner.  It  is  by  this  continual 
soothing  and  handling  that  you  establish  confidence 
between  the  horse  and  yourself.  After  patting  him 
as  much  as  you  deem  needful,  say  for  ten  minutes  or 
a  quarter  of  an  hour,  you  may  encourage  him  to 
rise.  Some  horses  will  require  a  good  deal  of  help- 
ing, and  it  may  be  necessary  to  draw  out  their  fore- 
legs before  them.  The  handling  of  the  limbs  of 
colts  in  this  condition,  particularly  requires  caution. 
A  colt  tormented  by  flies,  will  kick  forward  nearly 
up  to  the  fore-legs.  If  a  horse,  unstrapped,  attempts 
to  rise,  you  may  easily  stop  him  by  taking  hold  of  a 
fore-leg  and  doubling  it  back  to  the  strapped  posi- 
tion. If  by  chance  he  should  be  too  quick,  don't 
resist,  for  it  is  an  essential  principle  of  this  system 
never  to  enter  into  a  contest  with  a  horse  unless  you 
are  certain  to  be  victorious.  In  all  these  operations 
you  must  be  calm,  and  never  be  in  a  hurry,  or  in  a 
passion. 

The  principle  established  by  this  mode  of  treat- 
ment is  that  you  show  no  violence  to  frighten  the 
horse,  and  yet  you  force  him  to  submit  to  your  will, 
caressing  hinrwhen  he  absents  and  gently  forcing 
(him  when  he  does  not.  Repeated  lessons  will  con- 
vince the  most  vicious  horse  that  you -are  his  mas- 
ter, and  your  gentle  caresses  consequent  on  his  sub- 
mission will  at  the  same  time  g-ive  him  confidence  in 


MAiVAGEMENT    OF    13ALKV    H()RS>ES.  45 

you.  It  has  been  suggested  that  a  novice  should 
begin  his  practice  on  a  gentle  horse  that  he  can 
handle  at  pleasure,  and  the  plan  is  a  good  one.  He 
may  thus  become  familiar  with  the  process  before 
trying  it,  in  earnest,  on  a  vicious  or  unbroken  animal. 
A  singular  fact  in  illustration  of  the  beauty  of 
this  treatment  of  refractory  horses  is  mentioned  in 
an  English  periodical.  A  beautiful  gray  mare, 
which  had  been  fourteen  years  in  the  band  of  one 
of  the  Life  Guards  regiments,  and  consequently  at 
least  seventeen  years  old,  would  never  submit  qui- 
etly to  have  her  hind-legs  shod  ;  the  farriers  had  to 
put  a  twitch  on  her  nose  and  ears,  and  tie  her  tail 
down  :  even  then  she  resisted  violently.  After 
three  days'  treatment  similar  to  that  above  de- 
scribed, she  was  easily  shod  with  her  head  loo«e. 
And  this  was  not  done  by  a  trick,  but  by  proving  to 
her  that  she  could  not  resist  even  to  the  extent  of  an 
inch,  and  that  no  haiin  was  intended  her. 

HOW    TO    MANAGE    BALKY    HORSES. 

Horses  know  notliing  about  balking  until  they  are 
forced  into  it  by  bad  management.  When  a  horse 
balks  in  harness,  it  is  generally  from  some  misman- 
agement, excitement,  confusion,  or  from  not  knowing 
^ow  to  pull,  but  seldom  from  any  unwillingness  to 
perform  all  that  he  understands.  High-spirited  free- 
going  horses  are  the  most  subject  to  balking,  and 
only  so  because  drivers  do  not  properly  understand 
how  to  manage  this  kind.  A  free  horse  in  a  team 
may  be  so  anxious  to  go,  that  when  he  hears  thei 


46  RAREY    0.\    HUKSE-TAMIaU. 

word  he  "will  start,  with  a  jump,  which  will  not  move 
the  load,  but  give  him  so  severe  a  jerk  on  the  shoul- 
ders that  he  will  fly  back  and  stop  the  other  horse. 
The  teamster  ^viW  continue  his  driving  without  any 
cessation,  and  by  the  time  he  has  the  slow  horse 
started  again,  he  will  find  that  the  free  horse  has 
made  another  jump,  and  again  flown  back.  And 
now  he  has  them  both  badly  balked,  and  so  confused 
that  neither  of  them  knows  what  is  the  matter,  or 
how  to  stai't  the  load.  Next  will  come  the  slashing 
and  cracking  of  the  whip,  and  hallooing  of  the  dri- 
ver, till  something  is  broken,  or  he  is  through  with 
his  course  of  treatment.  But  what  a  mistake-  the 
driver  commits  by  whipping  his  horse  for  this  act ! 
Reason  and  common  sense  should  teach  him  that 
the  horse  was  willing  and  anxious  to  go,  but  did  not 
know  how  to  start  the  load.  And  should  he  whip 
him  for  that  1  If  so,  he  should  whip  him  again  for 
not  knowing  how  to  talk.  A  man  that  wants  to  act 
with  reason  should  not  fly  into  a  passion,  but  should 
always  think  before  he  strikes.  It  takes  a  steady 
pressure  against  the  collar  to  move  a  load,  and  you 
cannot  expect  him  to  act  with  a  steady,  determined 
purpose  while  you  are  whipping  him.  There  is 
liardly  one  balldng  horse  in  live  hundred  that  will 
pull  truly  from  whipping  :  it  is  only  adding  fuel  to 
tire,  and  will  make  him  more  liable  to  balk  another 
time.  You  always  see  horses  that  have  been  balked 
a  few  times,  turn  their  heads  and  look  back  as  soon 
as  they  are  a  Httle  frustrated.  This  is  because  they 
have  been  whipped,  and  are  afraid  of  what  is  behind 


MANAGEMENT  OF  BALKY  HORSES.       47 

them.  This  is  an  invariable  rule  with  balkj  horses, 
just  as  much  as  it  is  for  them  to  look  around  at  their 
sides  when  they  have  the  bots ;  in  either  case  they 
are  deserving  of  the  same  sympathy,  and  the  same 
kind  of  rational  treatment. 

When  your  horse  balks,  or  is  a  little  excited,  on 
if  he  wants  to  start  quickly,  or  looks  around  and 
don't  want  to  go,  there  is  something  wrong,  and  he 
needs  kind  treatment  immediately.  Caress  him 
kindly,  and  if  he  don't  understand  at  once  what  you 
w«int  him  to  do,  he  will  not  be  so  much  excited  as 
to  jump  and  break  things,  and  do  everything  wrong 
through  fear.  As  long  as  you  are  calm,  and  can 
keep  down  excitement  of  the  horse,  there  are  ten 
chances  to  have  him  understand  you,  where  there 
would  not  be  one  under  harsh  treatment ;  and  then 
the  little  jiare  up  would  not  carry  with  it  any  unfa- 
vorable recollections,  and  he  would  soon  forget  all 
about  it,  and  learn  to  pull  true.  Almost  every 
wrong  act  the  horse  commits  is  from  mismanage- 
ment, fear  or  excitement ;  one  harsh  word  will  so 
excite  a  nervous  horse  as  to  increase  Ids  pulse  ten 
beats  in  a  minute. 

When  we  remember  that  we  are  dealing  with 
dumb  brutes,  and  reflect  how  difficult  it  must  be  for 
them  to  understand  our  motions,  signs  and  language, 
we  should  never  get  out  of  patience  with  them  be- 
cause they  don't  imderstand  us,  or  wonder  at  their 
doing  things  wrong.  With  alj^our  intellect,  if  we 
were  placed  in  the  horse's  situation,  it  would  be  dif- 
ficult   for   us    to    understand   the    driving   of   some 


48  RAREY    ON    HORSE-TAMLNG. 

foreigner,  of  foreign  ways  and  foreign  language. 
We  should  always  recollect  that  our  ways  and  lan- 
guage are  jnst  as  foreign  and  unknown  to  the  horse 
as  any  language  in  the  Avorld  is  to  us ;  and  should 
tr|^to  practice  what  we  could  understand  were  we 
the  horse,  endeavoring  by  some  simple  means  to 
work  on  his  understanding  rather  than  on  the  dif- 
ferent parts  of  his  body.  All  balked  horses  can  be 
started  true  and  steady  in  a  few  minutes'  time  ;  they 
are  willing  to  pull  as  soon  as  they  know  how  ;  and 
I  never  yet  found  a  balked  horse  that  I  could  not 
teach  to  start  his  load  in  fifteen,  and  often  in  less 
than  three  minutes'  time. 

Almost  any  team,  when  first  balked,  will  start 
kindly  if  you  let  them  stand  five  or  ten  minutes,  as 
though  there  was  nothing  wrong,  and  then  speak  to 
them  with  a  steady  voice,  and  turn  them  a  little  to 
the  right  or  left  so  as  to  get  them  both  in  motion 
before  they  feel  the  pinch  or  the  load.  But  if  you 
want  to  start  along  a  team  that  you  are  not  driving 
yourself,  that  has  been  balked,  fooled,  and  whipped 
for  some  time,  go  to  them  and  hang  the  lines  on 
their  hames,  or  fasten  them  to  the  wagon,  so  that 
they  will  be  perfectly  loose  ;  make  the  driver  and 
spectators,  if  there  are  any,  stand  off  some  distance 
to  one  side,  so  as  not  to  attract  the  attention  of  the 
horses  ;  unloose  their  check  reins,  so  that  they  can 
get  their  heads  down,  if  they  choose  ;  let  them  stand 
a  few  minutes  in  this  condition,  until  you  can  see 
that  they  are  a  little  composed.  While  they  are 
standing  you  should  be   about  their  heads  gentling 


MANAGEMENT    OF    BALKV    HORSES.  49 

them  ;  it  will  make  tliem  a  little  more  kind,  and  the 
spectators  will  think  you  are  doing  something  that 
they  do  not  understand,  and  will  not  learn  the  secret. 
When  you  have  them  ready  to  start,  stand  before 
them,  and  as  you  seldom  have  but  one  balky  hoHse 
in  a  team,  get  as  near  in  front  of  him  as  you  can, 
and  if  he  is  too  fast  for  the  other  horse,  let  his  nose 
come  against  your  breast ;  this  will  keep  him^teady, 
for  he  will  go  slow  rather  than  run  on  you ;  turn 
them  gently  to  the  right,  with  the  wagon  ;  have  it 
stand  in  a  favorable  position  for  starting  out,  letting 
them  pull  on  the  traces  as  far  as  the  tongue  will  let 
them  go ;  stop  them  with  a  kind  word,  gentle  them 
a  little,  and  turn  them  back  to  the  left,  by  the  same 
process.  You  will  have  them  under  your  control  by 
this  time,  and  as  you  turn  them  again  to  the  right, 
steady  them  in  the  collar,  and  you  can  take  them 
where  you  please. 

There  is  a  quicker  process  that  will  generally 
start  a  balky  horse,  but  not  so  sure.  Stand  him  a 
little  ahead,  so  that  his  shoulder  will  be  against  the 
collar,  and  then  take  up  one  of  his  fore  feet  in  your 
hand,  and  let  the  driver  start  them,  and  when  the 
weight  comes  against  his  shoulders,  he  will  try  to 
stop — then  let  him  have  his  foot,  and  he  will  go 
right  along.  If  you  want  to  break  a  horse  from 
balking  that  has  long  been  in  that  habit,  you  ought 
to  set  a  day  apart  for  that  purpose.  Put  him  by 
the  side  of  some  steady  horse  ;  have  check  lines  on 
them  ;  tie  up  all  the  traces  and  straps,  so  that  there 
will  be  nothino^  to  excite  them  ;    do  not  rein  them 


50  RAREY    ON    HORSE-TAMlXU. 

np,  Lilt  let  tliem  have  their  heads  loose.  Walk 
them  about  together  for  some  time  as  slowly  and 
lazily  as  possible ;  stop  often  and  go  np  to  the  balky 
horse  and  gentle  him,  but  keep  him  just  as  Ciuiet  as 
yiQU  can.  He  will  soon  learn  to  start  off  at  the  word, 
and  stop  whenever  you  tell  him. 

As  soon  as  he  performs  right,  hitch  him  to  an 
empty  wagon.  It  would  be  well  to  shorten  the  stay 
chain  behind  the  steady  horse,  so  that  if  it  is  neces- 
sary he  can  take  the  weight  of  the  wagon  the  first 
time  you  start  them.  Do  not  drive  but  a  few  rods 
at  first ;  watch  your  balky  horse  closely,  and  if  you 
see  that  he  is  getting  excited,  stop  him  before  he 
stops  of  his  own  accord,  caress  him  a  little,  and  start 
again.  As  soon  as  they  go  well,  drive  them  over  a 
small  hill  a  few  times,  and  then  over  a  large  one, 
occasionally  adding  a  little  load.  This  process  will 
make  any  horse  true  to  pull. 

CHOKING,    A    MEAXS    OF    SUBDUING    THE    HORSE. 

This  is  another  method  of  conquering  a  skittish, 
stubborn  or  refractory  horse.  It  is  resorted  to  in 
cases  where  the  measures  before  described  fjiil  to 
produce  the  desired  effect.  The  principles  on  which 
the  plan  of  choking  are  based,  are,  that  you  must 
make  a  powerful  appeal  to  the  intelligence  of  the 
animal  by  physical  means  before  you  can  subdue 
him.  Now  we  know  that  most  anim.als,  in  fighting, 
seize  each  other  by  the  throat,  and  that  a  dog  thus 
held  by  his  antagonist  for  a  few  minutes,  on  being 
released,  is  often  so  thor'ua-hlv  cowed  that  no  human 


CHOKLNG    THE    HORSE.  &1 

artifice  can  induce  him  to  again  resume  the  unequal 
contest.  It  is,  then,  reasonable  to  suppose  that 
choking  will  have  a  similar  effect  on  the  horse. 
When  it  can  be  done  without  injuring  the  animal,  it 
is  an  easy  mode  of  subduing  him,  for  by  its  opera- 
tion he  becomes  docile,  and  will  thereafter  receive 
any  instruction  which  he  can  be  made  to  understand. 
Teaching  the  horse,  by  this  means,  to  lie  down  at 
our  bidding,  tends  to  keep  him  permanently  gentle 
towards  man,  for  it  is  a  perpetual  reminder  of  his 
subdued  condition. 

It  requires  a  good  deal  of  practice  to  tame  a  horse 
successfully  by  choking  ;  also  a  nice  judgment  to 
know  when  he  is  choked  sufficiently,  as  there  is  a 
bare  possibility  that  he  might  get  more  than  would 
be  good  for  him.  We  advise  persons  not  perfectly 
familiar  with  a  horse  to  resort  rather  to  the  strapping 
and  throwing-down  process,  unless  the  animal  to  be 
operated  upon  is  so  vicious  and  intractible  that  he 
cannot  be  cured  by  it.  It  is  the  fault  of  most  peo- 
ple who  have  owned  a  horse  to  imagine  that  they 
are  experts  in  his  management ;  Avhile,  on  the  con- 
trary, many  professional  horsemen  are  the  very  worst 
parties  to  attempt  his  subjugation. 

In  practicing  the  choking  process,  retire  with  the 
animal  to  be  operated  upon  into  a  close  stable,  with 
plenty  of  litter  upon  the  floor  (tanbark  or  sawdust  is 
preferable).  In  the  fii'st  place  fasten  up  the  left 
fore-leg  with  strap  No.  1,  (p.  36,)  in  such  a  manner  that 
it  will  be  permanently  'secured.  Then  take  a  broad 
strap  with  a  buckle,  or  bnckk  fra^no  pt  *he  end,  and 


52  RAREY    0\    HORSE-TA.MI.\G. 


pass  it  around  tlie  neck  just  back  of  tlio  jaw-bone, 
in  the  position  given  in  the  engraving.  Draw  the 
strap  as  tight  as  possible,  so  tight  as  to  ahnost  arrest 
the  horse's  breathing.  The  strap  must  not  be 
buckled,  but  held  in  this  position  to  prevent  slipping 
back.  The  animal  vrill  struggle  for  a  fo.vr  minutes, 
when  he  will  become  perfectly  quiet,  overpowered 
by  a  sense  of  suffocation  ;  the  veins  in  his  head  will 
swell ;  his  eyes  lose  their  fire  ;  his  knees  totter  and 
become  weak ;  a  slight  vertigo  will  ensue,  and  he 
will  grow  gradually  exhausted.  By  now  backing 
him  around  the  stable,  he  will  come  down  on  his 
knees,  in  Avhich  position  it  is  an  easy  matter  to  push 
him  on  his  side,  when  his  throat  should  bo  released. 
You  must  now  operate  with  tlie  horse  in  the  same 
manner  as  described  after  getthig  him  down  by 
straps.     Speak  kindly  to  him,  rub  him   gently  the 


CHOKING    THE    HORSE 


i)3 


way  the  hair  lies,  fondle  him  in  various  ways,  and 
he  will  be  completely  subdued.  You  should  not  at- 
tempt to  fondle  him,  however,  until  you  are  satisfied 
that  he  has  got  over  the  excitement  which  the 
choking  caused  in  him.  It  is  only  necessary  in  ex- 
treme cases  to  repeat  the  operation  of.  choking,  as 
no  horse  can  effectually  resist  its  terrible  effects. 

It  shoukl*  be  constantly  borne  in  mind  that  tlie 
operator  m.ust  not  be  boisterous  or  violent,  and  that 
the  greatest  possible  degree  of  kindness  is  abso- 
lutely essential.  When  the  horse  is  prostrate  he 
should  be  soothed  until  his  eyes  show  that  he  has 
become  perfectly  tranquil. 


Another  process  of  choking  is  described  by  the 
above  engraving.  After  tying  up  your  horse  to  the 
manger,  make  friends  with  liim  by  some  one  of  the 
coaxing  processes  heretofore  given,  and  when  you 
get  him  in  thorough  good  humor  with  you,  begin  the 


54  RAREY    ON    HORSK-TAMING. 

choking  bj  seizing  him  on  the  throat  near  tlie.  jaw, 
at  the  same  time  hokling  on  to  his  mane  with  your 
left  hand.  AVhen  you  have  exhausted  him  suffi- 
Iciently,  let  go  the  mane  and  rap  him  gently  on  the 
fore-legs  until  he  lies  down  ;  or  you  may  touch  him 
with  your  foot  instead.  After  he  is  down,  rub  liim 
gently,  speak  kindly  to  him,  and  as  soon  as  he  is 
properly  composed,  fondle  and  caress  him. 

GENERAL  RULES,  AND  REMARKS. 

In  taming  the  horse  either  by  choking  or  any  of 
the  other  processes  here  given,  the  following  rules 
should  be  observed :  First — When  forcing  down 
the  horse  in  either  of  the  ways  described,  be  careful 
of  his  neck.  Do  not  let  him  fill  upon  that,  or  he 
may  break  it,  as  the  spine  of  the  horse  is  easily 
broken.  Second — Do  not  force  hhn  down  violently 
under  any  circumstances.  The  way  to  get  him 
down  is  by  patiently  choking  him  and  waiting  until 
he  goes  down  easily  and  from  sheer  exhaustion. 
Thirdly — Keep  him  very  quiet  by  stroking  or  pat- 
ting him  with  your  hand  in  a  gentle  and  delicate 
manner,  until  he  is  entirely  over  the  excitement 
wliich  your  operations  have  caused  in  him.  You  can 
generally  tell  when  he  is  appeased  by  the  expres- 
sion of  his  eyes.  Fourthly — In  backing  the  horse, 
never  use  violence.  Hold  the  halter  and  ofi'  rein 
in  your  left  hand,  while  managing  him  to  bring  him 
down. 

In  teaching  a  horse  to  follow  you,  and  in  cui-ing 
him  of  kicking  or  biting,  or  balldng,  or  hi  deed  any 


TEACHING    THH    HORSK    'lO    FOLLOW.  .'>6 

bad  habit,  the  choking  operation  is  res(jrted  to  with 
equal  success  as  in  tlie  case  of  taming  or  breaking. 
If  he  continues  stubborn,  you  have  only  to  repeat 
tlie  operation,  giving  him  one  or  two  lessons  a  day, 
and  in  a  short  time  he  will  be  perfectl}^  subdued.  A 
young  liorse  leanis  to  obey  quicker  than  an  older 
one.  When  you  get  a  horse  down  by  any  of  the 
processes  we  have  mentioned,  a  quarter  of  an  lioiir 
or  twenty  minutes  is  ample  time  to  keep  him  pros- 
trate for  the  purpose  of  subjugation.  Breathing  into 
a  horse's  nostrils  when  he  is  down  is  practiced  by 
some  horse-tamers,  and  this  is  undoubtedly  a  sooth- 
ing operation,  as  it  brings  you  into  close  contact  witli 
the  animal,  thus  giving  him  an  opportunity  of  ex- 
amining you  with  his  nose — a  process  peculiar  to 
horses.  You  should  always  litter  your  stable  well 
when  you  jierform  these  operations  of  flooring  the 
horse.  Clean  straw  or  tanbark,  or  anything  to  make 
a  soft  stable  bottom  will  answer. 

HOW    TO    MAKE    A    HORSE    FOLLOW    YOU. 

Turn  him  out  into  a  large  stable  or  shed,  where 
there  is  no  chance  to  get  out,  with  a  halter  or  bridle 
on.  Go  to  him  and  gentle  him  a  little  ;  take  hold 
of  the  halter  and  turn  him  towards  you,  at  the  same 
time  touching  him  lightly  over  the  hips  with  a  long 
whip.  Lead  him  the  length  of  the  stable,  rubbing 
him  on  the  neck,  saying,  in  a  steady  tone  of  voice,  as 
you  lead  him,  "  Come  along,  my  boy  !"  or  use  liis 
name  instead  of  my  boy,  if  you  choose.  Every  time 
you  turn,  touch  hhn  slightly  with  the  whip,  to  make 


56  IIAREV    ON    H()USE-TAMI.\(J. 

him  step  close  up  to  you,  and  then  caress  him  with 
your  hand.  He  will  soon  learn  to  hurry  up  to  es- 
cape the  whip,  and  be  caressed,  and  you  can  make 
him  follow  you  around  without  taking  hold  of  the 
halter.  If  he  should  stop  and  turn  from  you,  give 
him  a  few  sharp  cuts  about  the  hind  legs,  and  he 
will  soon  turn  his  head  towards  you,  when  you  must 
always  caress  him.  A  few  lessons  of  this  kind  will 
make  him  run  after  you,  when  he  sees  the  motion  of 
the  whij) — in  twenty  or  thirty  minutes  he  will  follow 
you  around  the  stable.  After  you  have  given  him 
two  or  three  lessons  in  the.  stable,  take  him  in  a  small 
lot  and  train  him  ;  and  from  thence  you  can  take 
him  into  the  road,  and  make  him  follow  you  any- 
where, and  run  after  you. 

'JO    MAKF,  A    HORSE    STAMl  WITHOIT    HOI.niXG. 

After  you  have  well  broken  him  to  follow  you, 
stand  him  in  the  center  of  the  stable — begin  at  the 
head  to  caress  him,  and  gradually  work  backwards. 
If  he  moves,  gives  him  a  cut  with  the  whip,  and  put 
him  back  to  the  same  spot  from  where  he  started. 
If  he  stands,  caress  him  as  before,  and  continue 
gentling  him  in  this  way  until  you  can  get  around 
him  without  making  him  move.  Keep  walking 
round  him,  increasing  your  pace,  and  only  touch 
him  occasionally.  Enlarge  your  circle  as  you  walk 
around,  and  if  he  then  moves,  give  him  another  cut 
with  the  whip,  and  put  him  back  to  his  place.  If 
he  stands,  go  to  him  frequently  and  caress  him,  and 
then  "walk   round   him   again.     Do  not  keep  him  hi 


MxVNAGEMENT    OF    SCaRV    HORSES.  57 

one  position  too  long  at  a  time,  but  make  iiim  come 
to  you  occasionally,  and  follow  you  around  the 
stable.  Then  stand  him  in  another  place,  and  pro- 
ceed as  before.  You  should  not  train  him  more  than 
half  an  hour  at  a  time. 

TO  PREVENT  A  HORSE  FROM  SCARING. 

This  process  is  very  simple.  Whenever  a  horse 
scares  at  objects  on  going  along  the  road,  always 
stop  him,  and  let  him  face  the  object.  Lead  him 
slowly  towards  it,  and  let  him  touch  it  with  his  nose. 
Take  the  pains  to  do  this  on  every  occasion,  and  it 
will  soon  break  him  entirely.  If  your  horse  is 
fi'ightened .  at  an  umbrella,  you  can  soon  learn  him 
to  be  used  to  that.  Go  into  the  stable  with  him, 
and  first  let  him  look  at  the  umbrella  before  it  is 
opened — let  him  touch  it  with  liis  nose.  Open  it  a 
little  way,  and  then  let  him  see  it,  and  finally  open 
it  wide.  By .  ordinary  patience  you  can  soon  learn 
the  horse  to  have  the  umbrella  opened  suddenly  in 
his  face,  without  his  being  afraid  of  it.  By  a  simi- 
lar treatment  you  can  break  any  horse  from  scaring 
at  almost  anything  that  may  look  frightful  to  him. 
If  you  wish  to  make  a  trial  of  this  theory,  just  take 
a  horse  into  the  stable,  and  let  him  examine  the 
frightful  object  a  few  minutes,  after  his  mode  of  ex- 
amining things,  and  you  will  be  perfectly  satisfied. 
There  is  a  singular  fact  connected  with  taming  the 
horse  that  I  would  have  never  believed  if  I  had 
not  tried  it.  If  you  accustom  him  to  any  particular 
object  by  showing  it  to  him  on  one  side,  only,  he  will 


58  RAREV    ON    liORSK-TAMI.XG. 

not  be  afraid  when  he  sees  it  with  the  eye  on  that 
side,  but  he  will  be  afraid  if  you  approach  him  with 
it  on  the  other  side.  It  is  therefore  necessary  to 
pacify  him  on  both  sides  in  all  cases.  After  you 
have  accustomed  him  to  the  umbrella,  or  whatever 
you  may  wish  to  make  him  familiar  with,  on  his 
right  side,  repeat  the  operation  on  the  left  side  in 
the  same  manner  as  if  you  had  not  approached  him 
at  all. 

BLINDS,    OR    BLINKERS. 

All  my  experience  with  and  observation  of  horses, 
proves  )felearly  to  me  that  blinkers  should  never  be 
used,  and  that  the  sight  of  the  horse,  for  many  rea- 
sons, should  not  be  interfered  with  in  any  way. 
Horses  are  only  fearful  of  objects  which  they  do  not 
understand,  or  are  not  familiar  with,  and  the  eye  is 
one  of  the  principal  mediums  by  which  this  under- 
standing and  this  ffimiliarity  are  brought  about.  The 
horse,  on  account  of  his  very  amiable  nature,  can  be 
made  in  the  course  of  time  to  bear  almost  anything 
in  any  shape  ;  but  there  is  a  quicker  process  of 
reaching  his  intelligence  than  that  of  wearing  it  into 
him  through  his  skin  and  bones.  However  wild  or 
nervous  a  horse  may  be,  he  can  be  taught  in  a  very 
short  time  to  understand  and  not  to  feai*  any  object, 
however  frightful  in  appearance.  Horses  can  be 
broken  in  less  time,  and  better,  v/ithout  blinkers ;  but" 
horses  that  have  always  worn  them  will  notice  the 
sudden  change,  and  must  be  treated  carefully  the 
first  drive.     After  that  they  will  diive   better  with- 


ELIXDS,    OR    BLINKERS.  59 

out  the  blinkers  than  v/ith.  I  have  proved  by  my 
own  experiments  that  a  horse  broken  without  blink- 
ers can  be  driven  past  any  omnibus,  cab  or  carnage, 
oa  a  parallel  line  as  close  as  it  is  possible  for  him  to 
go,  without  ever  wavering  or  showing  any  disposi- 
tion to  dodge.  I  have  not  in  the  last  eight  or  ten 
years,  constantly  handling  horses,  both  wild  and 
nervous,  ever  put  blinkers  on  any  of  them,  and  in 
uo  case  have  they  ever  shied  at  passing  objects. 

The  horse's  eye  is  the  life  and  beauty  of  the  ani- 
mal, as  well  as  the  index  of  all  his  emotions.  It 
tells  the  driver,  in  the  most  impressive  characters, 
what  the  horse's  feelings  are.  By  it  he  can  tell  the 
first  approach  of  fear  in  time  to  meet  any  difficulty ; 
he  can  tell  if  he  is  happy  or  sad,  hungry  or  weary. 
The  horse,  too,  when  permitted  to  see,  uses  his  eyes 
with  great  judgment.  He  sees  better  than  we  do. 
He  can  measure  distances  with  his  eyes  better  than 
we  can,  and,  if  allowed  free  use  of  them,  would 
often  save  himself,  by  the  quickness  of  his  sight, 
fi'om  collisions  when  the  driver  would  fail  to  do  so 
by  a  timely  pull  of  the  reins.  It  would  also  save 
many  accidents  to  pedestrians  in  the  streets,  as  no 
horse  will  run  on  to  any  person  that  he  can  see. 
Blinkers  are  rapidly  going  out  of  use  in  the  United 
States,  and  I  have  yet  to  find  the  man  who,  having 
once  left  them  off,  could  ever  be  persuaded  to  put 
them  on  again.  They  arc  an  unnecessary  and  inju- 
rious incumbrance  to  the  horse,  and  in  years  hence 
will  be  a  thing  to  be  read  of  as  one  of  the  follies 
happily  reformed  in  the  nineteenth  century.       ^lt^\* 


60  RAREY    UX    I10RSK-TAMI\G. 

RULES    TO    BE    OBSERVED    IX    FEEDING. 

Never  give  a  horse  whole  grain.  By  bruisuig  it, 
and  wetting  it  vHth  soft  water,  you  Gave  tliirty  per 
cent,  of  its  nutrirhus  efiPects.  Steam  it  in  prefer- 
ence to  wetting,  if  you  haA^e  facihties  for  doing  so. 
Feed  your  horse  ^wo  hours  Lefore  he  begins  his 
day's  work.  Give  Mm  the  largest  feed  at  night. 
Never  tie  him  up  to  a  ^/»ck  ;  it  is  cruel  to  thus  pre- 
vent a  horse  from  lying  dov  n  Avhen  he  is  tired.  The 
best  way  is  to  take  awny  yoar  rack  altogether,  and 
arranga  your  stable  so  as  t'^  make  it  unnecessary  to 
tie  up  the  horse  The  stabV  *>hould  always  be  dry 
and  well  littered.  Never  gi^^c  your  horse  hard  wa- 
ter to  drink,  if  soft  water  is  to  be  had.  If  you  can- 
not get  soft  water,  draw  the  hard  water  out  of  the 
well  two  hours  before  you  ict  him  drink  it.  Beans 
should  be  full  a  year  old  before  they  arft  fit  to  feed 
to  horses  ;  they  should  be  bruised,  the  pame  as  grain, 
not  ground.  Youatt  recommends  for  hcs*^.  feed,  the 
following  mixture  :  Cut  hay,<:two  parts  ;  cut  straw, 
three  parts — add  to  this  a  quantity  of  bruised  beans, 
oats,  or  other  grain — wet  the  whole  with  scit  water, 
and  mix  it  well.  Do  not  feed  your  horse  too  much 
hay,  as  it  is  not  only  a  "waste  of  provender,  br-t  when 
he  is  put  to  work  with  an  overloaded  stomach  it  en- 
dangers his  wind.  If  left  to  pull  hay  out  of  tho 
rack  at  pleasure,  a  horse  will  eat  and  waste  some 
thirty  pounds  a  day,  whereas,  b\  cutting  up  his  hay 
and  mixing  it  with  other  feed,  as  above  described, 
ten  pounds  is  ?n   ample   abundance  for  twenty-foui 


QUALITIES    OF    THE    HORSE.  61 

hours.  Horses,  wlieix  worked,  sliorld  be  fed  three 
or  four  tiipes  a  day  witli  a  mixture  of  hay,  straw  and 
g;rani,  as  above  described.  Give  them  their  food  in 
the  m?,nger,  and  be  careful  that  it  is  sweet  and 
clean.  By  followiiig  these  rules,  your  horses  will 
always  be  in  good  condition — will  not  have,  that 
swelled  belly  so  peculiar  to  animals  who  are  allowed 
to  fill  their  stoir.achs  with  hay — ar.d  will  usually 
enjoy  good  health. 

RULES  FOR  PURCHAGING  A  HORSE. 

When  yoa  are  looking  to  purchase  a  horse,  first 
examine  the  eyes  weli.  The  best  judges  are  some- 
times deceived  m  the  eyes,  therefore  you  cannot  be 
voo  careful.  Clearness  of  the  Eyes  is  a  sure  indica- 
tion of  their  goodn3Ss  ;  but  this  is  net  all  that  should 
bo  attended  to  :  the  eyelids,  eyebrows,  and  all  the 
other  parts,  must  filso  be  considered  ;  fox  many 
horses  whose  eyes  appear  clear  and  brilliant,  go 
blind  at  seven  or  eight  years  old.  Therefore  be 
careful  to  observe  whether  the  paitc  between  the 
eyelids  and  the  eyebrows  are  free  from  biinche^. 
and  whether  the  parts  round  the  under  eyelids  be 
full,  or  swelled ;  for  these  are  indications  that  tho 
eyes  will  not  last.  When  the  eyes  are  remarkably 
flat,  or  sunk  within  their  orbits,  it  is  a  bad  sign ;  also 
when  they  look  dead  and  lifeless.  The  iris^  or 
circle  that  suiTounds  the  sight  of  tho  eye,  should  be 
distincr,  and  of  a  pale,  vanegated,  cinnamon  color, 
for  this  is  always  a  sure  sign  of  a  good  eye.  and  it 
«dds  beauty  to  the  appearance  of  the  amm.al. 


02  KAKKV    ()i\     HUU.SE-TAiMl.NG. 

Ill  the  next  place,  examine  the  Teeth,  as  you 
would  not  wish  to  purchase  an  old  horse,  nor  a  very 
young  one  for  service. 

The  Feet  should  next  be  regarded  ;  for  a  hors« 
with  bad  feet  is  like  a  house  >nth  a  weak  founda- 
tion, and  will  do  little  service.  The  feet  should  be 
smooth  and  tough,  of  a  middle  size,  without  wrinkles, 
and  neither  too  hard  and  brittle,  nor  too  soft ;  th^ 
Ileeh  should  be  lirni,  and  not  spongy  and  rotten  ; 
the  Frogs  horny  and  dry ;  the  Soles  somewhat  hol- 
low, like  the  inside  of  a  dish  or  bowl.  Such  feet  will 
never  disappoint  your  expectations,  and  such  only 
should  be  chosen. 

Particular  regard  should  be  had  to  the  Shoul- 
ders;  they  should  not  bo  too  much  loaded,  for  a 
horse  with  heavy  shoulders  can  never  move  well ; 
and  on  the  other  hand,  one  that  has  very  thin  shoul- 
ders, and  a  narrow  chest,  though  he  may  move 
Ijriskly  so  long  as  he  is  sound,  yet  he  is  generally 
weak,  and  easily  lained  in  the  shoulders ;  a  medium 
should  therefore  be  chosen. 

.  The  Body,  or  Carcass,  should  neither  be  too  small 
nor  too  large.  The  Back  should  be  straight,  or 
have  only  a  moderate  sinking  below  the  Withers: 
for  when  the  back  of  a  horse  is  low,  or  higher  be- 
hind than  before,  it  is  both  very  ugly  and  a  sign  of 
weakness.  The  back  should  also  be  a  proper  length. 
The  Ribs  slu»uld  be  large,  the  Flanks  smooth  and 
full,  and  the  Hind-parts,  or  upperniost  Haunches 
not  higher  than  the  shoulders.  When  the  horse 
trots  before  you,  observe  if  his  haunches   cover  his 


QUALITIES    OF    THE    HORSE.  63 

f(ve-knecs.  A  horse  with  a  short  hhid-quai-ter  does 
not  look  well. 

The  next  thing  to  be  regarded  in  a  horse  i§  hia 
Wind,  which  may  be  easily  judged  of  by  the  motion 
of  his  flanks.  A  broken-winded  horse  also  pinches 
in  his  flanks,  with  a  very  slow  motion,  and  drops 
them  suddenly,  which  may  be  easily  perceived- 
Many  horses  breathe  thick  that  are  not  broken- 
winded  ;  indeed,  any  horse  will  in  foggy  weather,  or 
if  foul  fed,  without  sufficient  exercise ;  but  if  ahorse 
has  been  in  good  keeping,  and  had  proper  exercise, 
and  yet  has  these  symptoms,  there  is  some  defect? 
either  natural  or  accidental ;  such  as  a  narrow  chest, 
or  some  cold  that  has  affected  the  lungs. 

There  are  other  particulars  that  should  be  ob- 
served in  choosing  a  horse.  If  his  Head  be  large 
and  fleshy,  and  his  Neck  thick  and  gross,  he  will 
always  go  heavy  on  the  hand,  and  therefore  such 
should  never  be  chosen.  A  horse  that  has  his  Hocks 
very  wide,  seldom  moves  well,  and  one  that  has  them 
too  near  will  chafe  and  cut  his  legs  by  crossing  them. 
Fleshy-legged  horses  are  generally  subject  to  the 
Grease,  and  other  infirmities  of  that  kind,  and  there- 
fore should  not  be  chosen. 

The  Temper  of  a  horse  should  be  particularly 
attended  to.  Avoid  a  fearful  horse,  which  you  may 
know  at  first  sight  by  his  starting,  crouching,  or 
creeping,  if  you  approach  him.  A  hot  and  fretful 
horse  is  also  to  be  avoided,  but  the  buyer  should  be 
careful  to  distinguish  between  a  hot,  fretful  horse, 
and  one  that  is  eager  and   craving:.     The  former  be- 


64  RAREY    ON    HORSE-TAML\Q. 

gins  to  fret  the  moment  he  is  out  of  the  stable,  and 
continues  in  that  humor  till  he  has  quite  fatigued 
himself ;  and  the  latter  only  endeavors  to  be  fore- 
most in  the  field,  and  is  truly  valuable ;  he  has 
those  qualities  that  resemble  prudence  and  courage  ; 
the  other  those  of  intemperate  heat  and  rashness. 

A  horse  that  goes  with  his  fore  feet  Iom"  is  very 
apt  to  stumble  ;  and  there  are  some  that  go  so  near 
the  ground  that  they  stumble  most  on  even  roads  ; 
and  the  dealers,  to  remedy  to  this,  put  heavy  shoes 
on  their  feet,  for  the  heavier  a  horse's  shoes  are, 
the  higher  he  ^411  lift  his  feet.  Care  also  should 
be  taken  that  the  horse  does  not  cut  one  leg  with 
the  other.  A  horse  that  goes  near  the  ground  will 
cut  the  low  side  of  the  fetlock  joint,  but  one  that 
goes  high  cuts  below  the  knee,  which  is  called  the 
speedy  cut.  A  horse  that  lifts  his  feet  high,  generally 
trots  fast,  but  is  not  the  easiest  for  the  rider.  Some 
horses  cut  with  the  spurn  of  the  foot,  and  some  with 
the  heel ;  but  this  you  may  soon  perceive  by  their 
standing ;  for  if  a  horse  points  the  front  of  his  foot 
inward,  he  cuts  with  the  spurn,  and  if  outward,  with 
the  heel. 

These  few  instructions  may  be  of  use  in  pur- 
chasing horses ;  but  I  advise  every  one  to  get  some 
Experimental  knowledge  of  them  before  he  trusts  to 
his  own  judgment,  for  the  dealers  have  so  many 
ftrts  to  hide  the  defects  of  their  horses,  that  the  best 
judges  are  often  deceived. 

THE    END. 


KNOWLSON'S 

COMPLETE  FAREIER 

AND 

HORSE    DOOTOK,. 


INDEX    TO    CONTENTS. 


Back  Sinews,  sprain  in 46 

Bladder,  disorders  of 29 

Blood  Spavin 51 

Bone  Spavin 50 

Bots  and  Worms 11 

Broken  Wind 22 

Bruises  of  the  Withers 58 

Coffin  Joint,  sprain  in 4G 

Cold,  remedy  for 3 

Colic,  or  Gripes 7 

Colic,  Flatulent  or  Windy 7 

Colic,  Bilious  or  Inflammatory. ..  9 

Convulsions IG 

Corb 52 

Cough  and  Asthma 5 

Crown  Scab,  the 62 

Cup-Bone,  lameness  in  the — 48 

Fa'^cy,  or  Farcin ...37 

Tarcy,  the  Water 41 

Feet,  hurts  in  the 5G 

Fevers 17 

Fever,  a  Compound 19 

Fistula,  or  Bruises  of  the  Withers  58 

Founders 42 

Girth-Galls,  Plushes,  &c 59 

Glanders,  the 54 

Grease,  the 60 

Gripes,  the  Dry 10 

Gripes,  or  Colic 7 

Hidebound,  the 35 

How  to  Manage  a  Horse   on  a 

:    Journey C2 

Hurts  in  the  Feet 5G 

Imposthumes 54 

Intestines,  disorders  of 27 

Jaundice,  or  Yellows 13 

Journey,  how  to  manage  on  a C2 


Kidneys  and  Bladder,  disorders  of  29 

Knees,  sprain  in 47 

Lameness  in  the  Stifle 47 

Lameness  in  the  Cup-Bone 48 

Mallenders  and  SaUenders 52 

Mange,  the - 35 

Moulten  Grease 32 

Pasterns,  sprain  m 47 

Poll  Evil 43 

Plushes  from  Saddles 59 

Remedy  for  a  Cold 3 

Ring-Bone 52 

SaUenders 52 

Scouring 27 

Scratches 61 

Spavin,  Bone 50 

Spavin,  Blood  or  Bog 51 

Sprain  in  the  Back 44 

Spraui  in  the  Shoulder 45 

Sprain  in  the  Coffin  Joint 46 

Spralq  in  the  Back  Sinews 46 

Sprains  in  the  Knees  and  Pasterns  47 

Stag  Evil 16 

Stifle,  lameness  in  the 47 

Strangles,  the 52 

Surfeit 33 

Swellings  and  Impostumes 54 

Twitter-Bone 57 

Warbles,  Girth-Galls,  &c 59 

Water  Farcy,  the 41 

"UTiirlbone,  lameness  in  the 48 

WindgaUs 60 

Wmd,  a  Broken -22 

Withers,  bruises  of 58 

Worms  and  Bots If. 

Wounds 55 

Yellows,  the 13 


THE  COMPLETE  FARRIER, 

OR, 

HORSE    DOCTOR. 


Remedy  for  a  Cold.  ^ 

People  not  miicli  accustomed  to  study  the  diseases  of 
borses,  look  xxpon  a  cold  as  a  trivial  matter.  But  they 
should  bear  iu  mind  that  nearly  the  whole  of  the  disorders 
to  which  this  noble  animal  is  liable,  derive  their  origin  from 
a  Cold.  The  causes  of  Colds  are  various,  but  the  most  usual 
one  is  riding  the  horse  until  he  is  hot,  and  then  suflering 
bim  to  stand  still  exposed  to  the  cold  air  ;  removing  him 
from  a  hot  stable  to  a  cold  one  :  if  the  hoise  has  been  high- 
fed,  and  clothed,  the  cold  contracted  in  this  manner  often 
proves  very  violent ;  and  this  is  the  reason  why  horses  often 
catch  a  severe  cold  on  their  first  coming  out  of  the  dealer's 
hands  :  neglecting  to  rub  him  properly  down,  and  to  rub  the 
sweat  carefully  off  when  he  comes  in  from  a  journey  ;  and 
I  have  known  grievous  disorders  brought  on  by  removing 
horses  into  a  new  stable  before  the  walls  and  plastering 
were  dry.  "W'orkmen  are  often  in  fault  for  not  leaving  air- 
holes above  ;  as  when  a  horse  comes  into  a  new  stable,  and 
gathers  heat,  it  will  cause  the  walls  and  plastering  to  sweat 
very  much,  especially  if  there  are  no  air-holes  left.  Many  a 
horse  has  lost  his  eyes,  and  some  iheir  lives,  by  being  put 
into  new  stables  before  they  were  dry. 

Symptoms. — When  a  horse  has  caught  a  cold,  a  cough  will 
follow,  and  he  will  be  heavy  and  dull  in  proportion  to  the 
severity  of  the  disease  :  his  eyes  will  be  watery  ;  the  ker- 
nels about  his  ears,  and  under  his  jaws,  will  swell,  and  a 
thin,  mucous  gleet  will  run  from  his  nose.  If  the  cold  be 
)violent,  the  horse  will  be  feverish  ;  his  flanks  will  heave,  and 
be  will  refuse  his  food.  The  owners  shoxild  be  very  careful 
to  observe  these  last  symptoms,  because  when  they  appear, 
and  are  attended  with  a  slimy  mouth,  cold  ears  and  feet, 
moist  eyes,  and  a  great  inward  soreness,  there  is  danger  of  a 
fever,  and  generally  of  a  malignant  kind.  But  when  the 
horse  coughs  strongly,  and  snorts  after  it,  eats  scalded  bran, 
and  drinks  warm  water,  moves  briskly  in  his  stall;  dungs  and 


4  THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER, 

Stales  freely,  and  "without  pain,  his  skin  feels  kindlv,  and  his 
coat  does  not  stare,  there  is  no  danger,  nor  any  occasion  for 
medicine.  You  should,  however,  bleed  him,  keep  him  warm, 
give  him  some  feeds  of  scalded  bran,  and  let  him  drink  warm 
water. 

The  Cure. — If  the  horse  feels  hot  and  refuses  his  meat,  it 
will  be  necessary  to  bleed  him  plentifully,  and  to  give  the 
following  drink  : 

2  ounces  of  Juice  of  Liquorice. 
2  ounces  of  Salt  of  Tartar. 
2  drams  of  Saffron. 
2  ounces  of  Honey. 

Cut  the  juice  small,  dissolve  all  together  in  hot  water,  and 
give  it  nearly  cold.  This  drink  may  be  repeated  as  occasion 
requires,  but  let  twenty-four  hours  elapse  first.     Or  give 

4  ounces  oi  Aniseeds. 
2  ounces  of  Liquorice  Root. 
1  ounce  of  Gum  Scammonj. 
1  ounce  of  Nitre. 

Boil  these  together  in  three  pints  of  water  for  ten  or  twelve 
minutes  ;  strain  the  liquor  through  a  cloth  ;  and  add  two 
ounces  of  honey  to  it  when  you  give  it  to  the  horse. 

The  following  ball,  commonly  called  The  Cordial  BalL  is 
one  of  the  best  yet  found  out  for  coughs  or  colds.  Be  care- 
ful to  get  your  drugs  good,  for  this  ball  is  of  great  worth  in 
many  diseases  ;  and  few  things  will  remove  a  cough  or  cold, 
or  clear  a  horse's  wind,  sooner  or  better  ; 

Take  4  ounces  of  Aniseeds  Powder. 
4  ounce."  of  Fenugreek. 
4  oimcos  of  Liquorice  Powder. 
4  ounces  of  Elecampane  Powder. 
4  ounces  of  Flour  of  Brimstone. 
6  oimces  of  Grains  of  Paradise,  in  fine  powder. 
4  ounces  of  Liquorice,  cut  small,  and  dissolved  in  Wliite  "Wine. 
1  ounce  of  Saffron,  pounded  small. 
1  otmcft  of  Oil  of  Aniseeds. 
8  ounces  of  Olive  OU. 
8  ounces  of  Honey 

Bray  them  all  Avell  together  till  they  come  into  paste,  and 
if  they  should  be  too  dry,  add  a  little  more  olive  oil  and 
honey.  The  dose  is  about  two  ounces,  and  may  be  given 
three  or  four  times  a  day,  if  needful.  These  balls,  consist- 
ing of  warm,  opening  ingredients,  are  of  great  use  ;  and 
given  in  small  quantities,  about  tfie  size  of  a  pullet's  egg, 
will  encourage  a  free  perspiration ;  but  in  case  of  a  Fever, 
they  should  be  given  with  the  greatest  caution. 

It  will  be  of  great  use  to  put  scalding-hot  bran  into  the 
manger,  that  the  horse  may  hold  his  head  over  it,  and  receive 


OR,    nORaE    DOCTOR.  i) 

the  steam  up  his  nostrils,  which  will  cause  a  running  froin 
them,  and  relieve  him  very  much.  I  have  known  asarabacca, 
dried  and  rubbed  to  powder,  and  blown  up  the  nostrils,  to 
cause  a  discharge  ;  for  when  a  horse  has  caught  a  violent 
cold,  he  is  often  troubled  with  a  pain  in  his  head,  which  a 
good  discharge  at  the  nose  is  very  likely  to  cure.  For  the 
same  purpose  the  horse  should  be  warmly  clothed,  especially 
about  the  head,  neck,  and  throat,  as  it  has  a  tendency  to  pro- 
mote a  running  at  the  nostrils. 

By  this  simple  method,  Avith  proper  care,  hot  mashes,  and 
warm  water,  most  colds  may  be  cured  ;  and  as  soon  as  the 
horse  begins  to  feed  heartily,  and  snorts  after  coughing,  an 
hour's  exercise  every  day  will  greatly  hasten  the  cure.  If 
the  legs  swell,  and  the  horse  be  full  of  flesh,  rowels  are 
necessary. 

A  Cough,  and  Asthma. 

Among  all  diseases  to  which  this  noble  creature  is  sub- 
ject, none  has  given  more  perplexity  to  Farriers  than  a 
settled  Cough  ;  indeed  it  too  often  defies  all  the  attempts  of 
art,  and  the  horse  frequently  becomes  Asthmatical ,  or  Brok^n- 
toindcd. 

CArsES. — The  causes  are  various.  Sometimes  it  is  owing 
to  colds  imperfectly  cured ;  sometimes  to  pleurisies,  or 
malignant  fevers,  which  have  left  a  taint  upon  the  lungs  or 
other  vessels  ;  sometimes  to  small  eruptions  in  the  glands, 
which  cause  the  limgs  to  be  much  larger  than  they  ought  to 
be,  and  a  quantity  of  phlegm,  and  mucilaginous  juices,  which 
stuff  up  the  glands  and  branches  of  the  windpipe  ;  and  some- 
times to  fleshy  substances  engendered  in  the  large  blood 
vessels  ;  for  all  these  things  hinder  a  free  respiration,  and 
excite  a  cough.  It  is  of  the  utmost  importance  to  distin- 
guish one  kind  of  cough  from  another,  and  this  makes  the 
disorder  so  hard  to  cure  :  for  it  can  not  be  cured  till  the 
seat  of  the  complaint  be  found  out. 

If  the  cough  be  of  long  standing,  attended  with  a  loss  of 
appetite,  wasting  of  flesh,  and  weakness,  it  denotes  a  Con- 
sumption ;  and  that  the  lungs  are  full  of  knotty,  hard  sub- 
stances, called  tubercles,  ^\^len  a  cough  proceeds  from 
phlegm,  and  mucilaginous  matter,  stuflfing  up  the  vessels  of 
•  the  lungs,  the  flanks  have  a  sudden,  quick  motion  :  the  horse 
breathes  quick,  but  not  Avith  his  nostrils  distended  like  one 
that  is  broken-winded  ;  his  cougli  is  sometimes  moist,  and 
sometimes  dry  and  husky  ;  before  he  coughs  he  wheezes. 
and  sometimes  throws  out  o-f  his  nose  or  mouth  large  pieces 


6  THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER, 

of  white    phlegm,  especially  after   drinking,  and   this   dis- 
charge generally  gives  very  great  relief. 

CcKK. — If  the  horse  be  fall  of  flesh,  take  from  Lim  a  mode- 
rate quantity  of  blood.  The  next  day  give  him  scalded 
bran,  and  in  the  evening  the  foilo^ving  ball  : 

1  ounce  of  Powder  of  Aniseeds. 

1  ounce  of  Liquorice  Powder. 

1  dram  of  Calomel,  8  drams  to  an  ounce. 

Work  them  into  a  ball  with  Barbadoes  tar.  Give  this  ball 
the  last  thing  at  night,  and  be  careful  to  keep  the  horse  out 
of  wet,  and  from  cold  water  the  next  day.  On  the  second 
morning  give  the  following  purge  : 

1  ounce  of  Barbadoes  Aloes. 
1  ounce  of  Castile  Soap. 
^^  ounce  of  Powdered  Ginger. 
1  dram  of  Oil  of  Aniseeds. 

Bray  them  together  in  a  mortar,  with  a  little  syntp  of 
btickthorn  to  make  them  into  a  ball,  which  is  to  be  given  in 
the  morning,  and  plenty  of  warm  water,  and  walking  exer- 
cise, till  it  be  wrought  off.  It  will  not  work  the  first  day. 
In  three  days  after,  give  six  ounces  of  the  Cordial  ball  in  a 
little  warm  ale.  fasting,  and  to  fast  two  hours  after.  Repeat 
the  Calomel  ball,  physic,  and  Cordial  bajl,  sixVlays  after,  in 
the  same  manner  as  before.  Let  the  horse's  hay  be  sweet, 
and  his  manger-meat  scalded  bran,  with  a  spoonfal  of  honey 
in  each  feed  :  let  him  have  walking  exercise  in  the  open  air, 
but  be  careful  of  wet.  and  of  cold  water. 

When  this  course  has  been  pursued  two  or  three  times, 
give  two  or  three  ounces  of  the  Cordial  ball  every  morning. 
The  above  method  will  remove  most  Coughs,  but  if  it  fail, 
try  the  following  : 

1  ounce  of  Gum  Ammoniacum,  in  fine  powder. 
Mi  ounce  of  Gum  Galbanum,  in  powder. 

2  drams  of  Saffron,  brayed. 

2  drams  of  Assafoetida.in  powder. 

Work  them  up  with  honey,  or  Barbadoes  tar.  into  one 
ball  ;  roll  it  in  liquorice  powder,  and  give  it  fasting,  and  to 
fast  two  hours  after.  This  ball  must  be  given  eve^y  morn- 
ing, for  six  or  seven  times,  before  it  can  have  a  fair  trial.  In 
the  cure  of  this  disease,  the. diet  should  be  very  modorater 
the  usual  quantity  of  hay  should  be  abridged,  and  sprinkled 
with  water,  and  the  usual  allowance  of  grain  and  v/ater  di-' 
vided  into  several  portions  ;  for  with  these  regulations  in 
diet  the  disease  will  soon  be  cured  ;  and  where  it  is  incura- 
ble, the  horse  will  be  so  far  recovered  as  to  be  able  to  do  a 
great  deal  of  work. 


OK,    nORSE    DOCTOR.  7 

It  may  not  be  improper  here  to  add  that  some  young 
horses  are  subject  to  coughs  when  cutting  their  teeth,  and 
their  eyes  are  also  atiected  from  the  same  cause.  In  these 
cases  always  bleed,  and  if  the  cough  be  obstinate,  repeat  it, 
and  give  warai  mashes,  which  are  often  sufficient  alone  to 
remove  the  complaint.  When  young  horses  have  a  cough 
that  is  caused  by  worms,  as  is  often  the  case,  such  medi- 
cines must  be  given  as  are  jjroper  to  destroy  those  vermin. 
[See  Worms.] 

The  Colic,  or  Gripes. 

The  Colic  proceeds  from  various  causes ;  therefore  the 
method  of  care  varies  ;  for  otherwise  the  medicines  intended 
to  cure  it  may  increase  it.  and  perhaps  render  it  fatal.  We 
shall,  therefore,  divide  this  disorder  into  three  different  spe- 
cies, and  endeavor  to  give  such  plain  directions  for  managing 
each,  as  can  not  fail  to  prove  very  beneficial.  The  three 
species  are  these  :— 1.  The  Flatulent,  or  Windy  Colic  ; 

2.  Bilious,  or  Inftammatory  Colic  ; 

3.  The  Dry  Gripes. 

The  Flatulent,  or  Windy .  Colic. 

SYMPTOMS.-^'he  horse  is  very  restless,  lying  down  and 
starting  up  again,  lie  strikes  his  belly  with  his  hind  feet, 
stamps  with  his  fore  feet,  and  refuses  his  meat.  When  the 
pain  is  violent,  he  has  convulsive  twitches  ;  his  eyes  are 
turned  up.  and  his  limbs  stretched  out,  as  if  dying  ;  and  his 
ears  and  feet  alternately  cold  ;  he  falls  into  profuse  sweats, 
and  then  into  cold  damps  5  often  tries  to  stale,  and  turns  his 
head  frequently  to  his  flanks  ;  he  then  falls  down,  rolls  about, 
and  often  turns  on  his  back.  This  last  symptom  proceeds 
from  a  stoppage  of  urine,  which  generally  attends  this  spe- 
cies of  colic,  and  may  be  increased  by  a  load  of  dung  press- 
ing on  the  neck  of  the  bladder. 

Causes. — This  disease  often  proceeds  from  catching  cold 
by  drinking  cold  water  when  hot,  and  the  perspirable  mat- 
ter is  by  that  means  thrown  upon  the  bowels,  which  causes 
them  to  distend  violently,  and  sometime.^  brings  on  an  infiara- 
mation  in  the  small  intestines,. when  the  body  begins  to  swell, 
and  the  cure  is  despaired  of. 

Cuke. — The  first  thing  to  be  done  is  to  empty  the  straight 
gut  with  a  small  hand  dipped  in  oil.  This  frequently  gives 
room  for  the  wind,  before  confined  in  the  bowels,  to  discharge 
itself ;  and,  by  taking  off  the  weight  that  pressed  upon  the 
neck  of  the  bladder,  the  suppression  of  mine  is  removed, 


8  THE    COMTLF.TE    FARRIER, 

upon  which  the  horse  immediately  stales,  and  becomes  much 
easier.  If  the  horse  be  young,  and  full  of  blood,  it  will  be 
proper  to  take  a  sullicient  quantity  of  blood  from  the  neck. 

When  these  purgative  operations  have  been  performed, 
the  following  may  be  given,  as  it  seldom  fails  to  give  relief : 

4  ounces  of  Tincture  of  Senna,  or  Dafiy's  Eliiir. 

6  drams  of  Tincture  of  Opium. 

1  diara  of  Oil  of  Juniper. 

8  ounces  of  Juniper  BeiTies,  bruised. 

Put  one  quart  of  boiling  water  on  the  juniper  berries,  let 
them  stand  a  few  minutes,  strain  it  off,  put  all  together,  and 
give  them  to  the  horse. 

If  he  does  not  find  felief  soon  after  taking  this  dose,  both 
by  staling  and  breaking  wind,  it  is  doubtful  whether  he  will 
receive  any  benefit  from  it ;  so  you  must  prepare  the  follow- 
ing clyster  for  him  as  soon  as  you  can : 
Take  4  ounces  of  Camomile  Flowers. 

2  ounces  each  of  Aniseeds,  Fennel  and  Coriander. 

Boil  them  in  one  quart  of  water,  and  add  2  ounces  of  Cas- 
tile Soap,  cut  small,  while  the  water  is  hot,  that  the  soap  may 
dissolve.  Give  it  blood  warm.  During  the  fit  the  horse  may 
be  walked  about,  or  trotted  a  little,  but  should  by  no  means 
be  harrassed,  or  driven  about  till  he  is  jaded.  If  no  better, 
give  the  following  : 

2  drams  of  Camphor. 

1  dram  of  Pellitory  of  Spain. 

2  oimces  of  Ginger  Powder. 

3  giUs  of  Holland  Gin. 

If  the  horse  sweat  much  at  times,  and  then  falls  into  cold 
sweats,  give  four  ounces  of  mithridate,  in  three  gills  of  Hol- 
land gin.  and  repeat  the  clyster.  If  the  disorder  continue 
three  or  four  hours,  give  one  ounce  of  tincture  of  opium,  in 
three  gills  of  Holland  gin.  When  the  horse  begins  to  reco- 
ver, he  will  lie  quiet,  without  starting  and  trembling  ;  and 
if  he  continues  in  this  quiet  state  an  hour,  you  may  conclude 
that  the  danger  is  over.  Dress  him  do^^'n  well,  and  give  him 
a  small  quantity  of  warm  M'ater,  if  he  will  drink  it :  bed  him 
down  well,  cover  him  to  keep  him  warm,  and  then  leave  him 
to  get  a  little  rest.  You  must  consider  that  the  disorder  has 
left  a  little  soreness  on  him,  both  within  and  without ;  there- 
fore, make  him  a  little  gruel,  with  a  pint  of  red  Avine  in  it ; 
and  if  any  skin  be  knocked  off  about  his  eyes,  or  his  huck- 
bones,  rub  it  with  the  wash  recommended  for  bruises. 

Sometimes  the  Colic  is  received  into  the  stomach,  and  does 
not  act  so  violently,  nor  cause  the  horse's  pains  to  be  so 
fitrong.     You  may  best  judge  of  this  by  hia  motions.    He 


OR,    nORSE    DOCTOR.  9 

will  drar*^  his  four  feet  together,  lay  himself  down,  stretch 
out  his  feet  and  head,  throw  his  head  back,  and  often  put 
his  nose  to  his  chest ;  after  standing  a  little,  he  will  lie 
down  again  as  before.  When  the  colic  is  easier,  he  will  lie 
for  an  hour  or  more  together,  with  his  feet  stretched  out 
and  his  head  thrown  back,  or  with  his  nose  upon  his  ribs. 
This  is  caused  by  bad  feed," or  bad  water,  or  both:  some- 
times by  drinking  hard  water  when  hot.  or  by  a  change  from 
soft  grit  water  to  limestone  or  iron  water,  or  by  the  break 
of  a  storm.  I  have  had  five  or  six  horses  under  my  care  in 
this  disorder  in  one  day,  at  the  break  of  a  frost,  by  drinking 
ice  or  snow  water.  Sour  grains,  sour  grass,  dry  meal,  dust, 
bad  hay,  and  many  other  thing'^  cause  this  disorder.  Give 
the  following,  which  is  almost  a  certain  cure  in  two  hours  • 

•  1  oimce  of  Spirits  of  Sweet  Nitre. 
1  ounce  of  Spirits  of  Nitre 
1  oiuice  of  Tincture  of  Opium. 
1  ounce  of  Sweet  OIL 

All  to  be  given  together  in  a  gill  of  warm  ale.  Bed  the 
horse  well  down,  and  leave  him  that  he  may  get  a  little 
sleep,  after  which  he  will  get  up  and  feed.  This  is  one  of  the 
best  medicines  that  has  yet  been  found  out.  It  has  saved 
hundreds  of  horses,  and  "vvill  save  hundreds  more  if  rightly 
applied. 

The  Bilious  or  Inflammatory  Colic. 

Symptoms. — This  kind  of  Colic,  besides  most  of  the  symp 
toms  of  the  former,  is  attended  with  a  fever,  great  heat,  pant- 
ing, and  dryness  of  the  mouth.  The  horse  also  generally 
parts  with  a  little  loose  dung,  and  a  little  scalding-hot  water'; 
which,  when  it  appears  blackish,  or  reddish,  indicates  an  ap  • 
preaching  mortification. 

Take  3  ounces  of  Sennn. 

1  ounce  of  Salt  of  Tartar.      Infa>;o  them  in  a  quart  of  boiling 

water  an  hour — strain,  and  add 

2  ounces  of  Lenitive  Electuaiy. 

4  ounces  of  Glauber's  Salt,    ilix  when  hot. 

If  the  disorder  be  not  removed  by  the  above  medicine, 
but,  on  the  contrary,  the  fever  and  inflammation  continue  to 
increase,  attended  with  a  discharge  of  flesh-colored  matter, 
the  event  Anil  pro])ably  be  fatal  ;  and  the  only  mediciao 
likely  to  prevent  it,  is  a  strong  decoction  of  Jesuit's  bark,  a 
pint  of  which  may  be  given  every  three  hours,  mixed  with  a 
gill  of  red  port  Mine  ;  or  you  may  give  one  ounce  of  the 
powder  of  bark  with  the  wine.  Or,  if  these  can  not  be  got 
easily,  give  four  ounces  of  tiuctui-e  of  rhubarb  in  three  gills 


10  THE    OOMPIiETE    FARRIER, 

of  red  port  wine.  Also  give  a  clyster  every  two  hours,  made 
of  two  new-laid  eggs,  well  broken,  and  two  ounces  of  mo- 
lasses, in  one  quart  of  milk.     Give  it  warm. 

If  the  horse  recover,  it  will  be  proper  to  give  him  a  gentle 
purge  or  two  in  a  week  after. 

Take  1  oimco  of  Rhubarb,  in  Powder. 
^  ounce  of  Jalap,  do. 

Work  them  up  into  a  ball  with  syrup  of  buckthorn,  and 
give  it  to  the  horse,  with  warm  water  to  work  it  off. 

The  Dry  Gripes. 

Symptoms. — This  disorder  mostly  proceeds  from  costivc- 
ness.  and  is  discovered  by  the  horse's  frequent  and  fruitless 
attempts  to  dung,  the  blackness  and  hardness  of  the  dung, 
the  frequent  motion  of  his  tail,  the  high  color  of  his  urine, 
and  his  great  uneasiness. 

Cure. — The  first  thing  to  be  done  is  to  draw  the  dung  out 
of  the  ftindament,  with  a  small  hand,  as  far  as  you  can  reach, 
and  then  give  the  following  : 

4  ounces  of  Castor  Oil. 
4  ounces  of  Tincture  of  Senna. 
\ii  ounce  of  Oil  of  Juniper. 

Give  them  all  together,  and  then  the  following  clyster  : 

Boil  in  a  quart  of  water  a  handful  each  of 
Camomile  Flowers  and 
Marshraallows.     Strain  off  and  add 
2  ounces  of  Linseed  Oil,  or  Pale  Oil. 

If  the  horse  do  not  mend,  repeat  both  the  drink  and  the 
clyster.  During  this  disorder  the  horse  must  not  have  any 
dry  food  ;  but  boiled  linseed  and  scalded  bran,  with  warm 
water  to  drink.  Gentle  walking  exercise  is  a  great  means  to 
cause  the  physic  to  work  ;  but  be  careful  of  cold. 

From  the  account  that  I  have  given  of  the  different  species 
of  the  Colic,  the  reader  will  be  abundantly  convinced  how 
necessary  it  is  to  be  acquainted  Avith  each,  that  he  may  be 
able  to  give  proper  medicines  and  to  relieve  the  creature's 
excruciating  pains.  He  should  carefully  avoid  all  hot,  vio- 
lent medicines,  which  always  prove  hurtful  in  every  species 
of  this  disorder,  and  frequently  fatal.  Nor  is  it  any  wonder 
that  horses  treated  in  that  manner  should  die,  for  such  medi- 
cines stimulate  the  neck  of  the  bladder,  augment  the  heat  of 
the  blood,  before  much  too  great,  and  inflame  the  bowels, 
by  which  a  mortification  is  brought  on,  and  the  horse  is  lost 
by  the  very  means  used  for  his  recovery 


OR,    HORSE    DOCTOR.  H 

Sharp  fits  of  the  Gravel  are  sometimes  taken  for  the  Colic  ; 
but  should  this  happen,  the  driuk  recommended  for  the  Colic 
will  also  be  proper  for  the  Gravel. 

Worms  and  Bots. 

Horses  are  subject  to  five  sorts  of  worms,  and  perhaps  to 
many  more,  but  I  shall  only  describe  three,  which  are  the 
most  common.  The  worst  sort  to  destroy  are  long,  round 
worms,  resembling  earth-worms,  but  smaller  at  the  tail ; 
they  have  a  seam  all  the  length  of  their  bodies,  and  are  very 
hard  :  these  are  called  Round  Worms.  The  next  are  small 
worms,  about  the  size  of  a  sewing  needle  ;  they  have  red- 
dish fiat  heads,  having  nine  feet  on  each  side,  and  are  called 
Ascaridcs  :  these  are  also  very  troublesome  to  horses.  The 
third  sort  are  short,  thick  worms,  called  Bots :  their  seat  is 
mostly  at  the  stomach,  but  when  horses  get  any  food  that 
they  are  fond  of,  they  fill  themselves  so  "full,  that-they  lose 
their  hold,  and  come  along  with  the  dung  to  the  fundament, 
and  there  catch  hold  and  stick  to  the  end  gut,  partly  out  of 
the  horse  ;  this  happens  mostly  in  Spring,  when  they  get  the 
juice  of  fresh  grass. 

It  is  well  known  that  horses  which  have  many  worms  can 
never  thrive,  or  carry  much  flesh.  If  the  breeding  of  these 
vermin  were  prevented,  it  would  add  much  to  the  strength 
of  the  horse  ;  and  it  might  be  done  by  giving  him  a  decoc- 
tion of  bitter  herbs,  such  as  wormwood,  in  Spring.  It  may 
be  boiled,  or  steeped  in  hot  water,  and  given  two  or  three 
times  a  week.  Or  a  decoction  of  wormwood,  buck-bean, 
gentian  root,  and  camomile  flowers,  of  each  a  large  handful, 
boiled  in  a  sufficient  quantity  of  water,  and  given  as  above, 
will  answer  the  end. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  which  indicate  worms  are  vari- 
ous, as  the  animals  are  different,  and  seated  in  different  parts 
of  the  body.  When  the  Bots  are  seated  in  the  straight  gut, 
they  are  never  dangerous,  but  are  often  thrust  out  with  the 
dung.  They  generally  come  in  the  months  of  lAlayand  June, 
and  scarcely  ever  continue  in  a  horse  above  a  fortnight.  But 
when  they  breed  in  the  stomach,  they  often  cause  convul- 
sions, and  even  death.  The  Bots  that  breed  in  the  stomach 
are  about  the  size  of  a  large  maggot,  composed  of  circular 
rings,  and  have  little,  sharp,  prickly  feet  along  the  sides  of 
their  bellies,  by  means  of  which  they  fasten  themselves  to 
the  part  from  whence  they  derive  their  nourishment,  to  pre- 
vent their  being  loosed  from  such  adhesion  before  they  conw 
to  maturity  ;  and  as  they  drain  the  coats  of  the  stomach  like 


12  THE    COMPLEIK    TARRIER, 

leeches,  it  is  no  wonder  that  thoy  often  throw  the  horse  into 
convulsions,  which  terminate  in  death,  unless  the  cause  be 
removed.  The  violent  agonies  of  the  creature  are  the  only- 
indications  of  their  existence.  The  other  kinds  of  worms 
are  more  troublesome  than  dangerous,  and  are  discovered 
by  the  folio'w'ing  signs  :  There  is  a  white  fur  on  the  end  of 
the  straight  gut ;  the  horse  is  lean  and  jaded  ;  his  coat  is 
rough  and  staring  ;  and  if  you  rub  your  hand  backward  on 
the  hair,  a  white  scurf  will  rise,  as  if  he  had  been  surfeited  ; 
and  though  he  eats  with  a  remarkable  appetite,  he  does  not 
thrive.  He  often  strikes  his  hind  feet  against  his  belly,  and 
is  sometimes  griped,  but  without  the  violent  pains  that 
attend  the  colic,  or  stranguary  ;  for  he  never  rolls  or  tum- 
bles, but  is  uneasy,  often  laying  himself  down  quietly  on  his 
belly  for  a  little  while,  and  then  rising  and  beginning  to  feed. 
But  the  surest  symptom  is  when  the  horse  voids  the  worms 
with  his^iung. 

The  way  these  creatures  get  into  the  stomach  is  curious. 
AVhile  the*  horse  is  feeding,  the  bot-fly  lights  on  his  side  in 
a  place  convenient  to  the  animal's  mouth.  He  then  stings 
the  horse  and  flies  away.  The  horse  naturally  turns  his 
head  and  throws  his  mouth  to  the  place  which  has  been 
stung — the  eggs  adhere  to  his  lips,  and  in  this  way  are 
taken  into  the  stomach,  Avhere  they  hatch  into  worms,  which 
instantly  fasten  themselves  to  the  coats  of  the  stomach. 
Keeping  a  horse  well  curried  and  brushed,  and  keeping 
him  in  stable  during  the  fly-bot  season,  will  often  prevent 
the  disease. 

Cure. — Many  medicines  have  been  given  to  destroy  these 
vermin,  ^nthout  knowledge  or  judgment,  and  even  contrary 
to  common  reason.  Some  give  coarse  sugar  for  that  pur- 
pose, but.  in  my  opinion  it  will  rather  increase  than  destroy 
them  ;  although  a  few  will  fill  themselves  so  full  as  to  lose 
their  hold,  and  come  away  Tvith  the  dung. 

Take  1  ounce  of  Socotrine  Aloes. 

1  dram  of  Calomel,  8  drams  to  an  ounce. 

1  draia  of  Oil  of  Aniseeds. 

2  drams  of  Powdered  Gin^rer. 
\(i  ounce  of  Syrup  of  Buckthorn. 

Beat  all  up  together  in  a  mortar  till  the  Aloes  are  well 
broken,  and  the  whole  is  brought  into  a  paste  ;  which  give 
in  the  morning,  fasting,  and  to  fast  one  hour  after  ;  also  give 
warm  water,  and  walking  exercise,  till  A\Tought  off.  It  will 
not  work  the  first  day.  Be  careful  that  the  horse  be  open  in 
his  body  before  you  give  the  ball.  In  grass  time  you  will 
have  nothing  more  to  do  than  to  give  it,  and  to  put  the  hor.-*e 


OR,    nOKSE    DOCTOR.  X3 

where  he  cau  get  water.  This  dose  is  for  a  pretty  strong 
horse,  so  you  must  add  or  diminish  according  to  size.  Tliis 
dose  must  be  repeated  as  need  requires,  but  not  within  seven 
days.  It  will  destroy  most  kind  of  worms  ;  but  the  hard 
round  worms  require  difterent  treatment,  as  they  are  the  \ 
worst  of  any  to  get  rid  of  To  destroy  them  give  the  i 
following  ; 

1  dram  of  Calomel,  8  drams  to  an  ounce. 

6  drams  of  Jalap. 

6  drams  of  Rhubarb,  in  powder. 

Wrought  up  into  a  paste  with  conserve,  or  honey  j  and 
two  days  after  give  the  following  : 

1  dram  of  Calomel,  8  drams  to  an  ounce. 
1  omice  of  dried  Foxglove  Leaves,  pow^dered. 
^  ounce  of  Wonn  Seed,  powdered. 
1  ounce  of  Jalap,  in  powder. 

To  be  given  in  thi-ce  gills  of  malt  liquor  from  the  mash- 
tub.  If  the  above  be  given  every  week  for  three  weeks 
together,  you  may  be  sure  that  most  of  the  vermin  Avill  be 
expelled.  If  the  medicines  be  given  in  the  house,  let  the 
food  be  light  and  opening,  and  warm  water  for  two  days, 
with  walking  exercise. 

I  advise  all  who  have  horses  troubled  with  worms,  to  give 
savin,  dried  and  powdered,  before  they  give  the  worm  phy- 
sic. If  one  ounce  a  day  be  given  for  a  week  before,  in  a 
mash  of  bran,  it  will  be  much  better.  The  above  ball  is 
good  for  many  disorders  besides  worms. 

The  Yellows,  or  Jaundice. 

This  disorder  is  very  common  in  horses,  and  sometimes  it 
is  either  unlvuown,  or  overlooked,  till  it  gets  much  worse  to 
cure.  A  young  horse  is  easily  cured,  but  an  old  one  is  bad 
to  cure.  Some  people  may  say.  How  can  a  horse  hate  the 
Jaundice,  xchen  he  has  no  gall-bladder  ?  I  answer.  Though  he 
has  no  gall-bladder  in  sight,  he  has  a  large  vessel  in  the  liver 
which  answers  the  same  end.  We  may  here  observe,  the  han- 
diwork of  God  in  placing  a  horse's  gall-bladder  differently 
from  those  of  other  animals,  when  we  consider  that  the. 
horse  is  the  swiftest  and  most  laborious  creature  in  the 
world  ;  so  that  if  the  gall-bladder  had  been  placed  on  the 
liver,  it  would  always  have  been  exposed  to  injuries. 

Symttoms. — The  white  of  the  eyes  is  yellow,  also  the  inside 
of  the  mouth,  the  tongue,  and  the  bars  in  the  mouth,  are  of  a 
dusky  yelloAv  ;  the  horse  is  dull,  and  refuses  all  kinds  of 
food  ;  a  slow  fever  is  perceived,  which  increases  with  the 


X4.  THE    COMPLETE   FAREIEE, 

yellowness ;  the  dung  is  often  hard  and  dry,  and  of  a  pak 
yellow  color  ;  the  urine  is  commonly  cTf  a  dark,  dirty  brown, 
and  when  it  has  settled,  sometimes  looks  like  blood :  the 
horse  stales  with  pain  and  diflHculty  ;  and,  if  the  disorder  ia 
not  checked,  becomes  in  a  short  time  unable  to  stir  about. 
When  this  disease  gets  strong  hold  of  a  horse  before  proper 
medicines  are  applied,  it  is  often  fatal,  or  it  brings  on  some 
other  disorder  as  bad,  or  worse  than  itself. 

Cure. — Bleed  plentifully,  and  as  this  disease  is  always  at- 
tended by  a  costive  habit  of  body,  it  will  be  proper  to  give 
a  clyster  or  two  before  you  give  the  physic.  A  clyster  may 
be  made  of  one  ounce  of  camomile  flowers,  boiled  in  a  quart 
of  water  with  two  ounces  of  Castile  soap.  Then  give  the 
following  ball  : 

4  drams  of  Indian  Rhubarb. 

2  drams  of  Satfron. 

6  drams  of  Socotrine  Aloes. 

1  ounce  of  Castile  Soap. 

To  be  brayed  in  a  mortar  with  a  little  syrup  of  buckthorn, 
and  made  into  two  balls  ;  one  to  be  given  the  last  thing  at 
night,  and  the  other  the  first  thing  in  the  morning  ;  and  give 
plenty  of  warm  water  to  work  them  off.  Jf  the  disease  is 
obstinate  and  will  not  yield  to  the  above,  give  the  follow- 
ing ball  : 

1  dram  of  Calomel,  8  drams  to  an  ounce. 

1  ounce  of  Barbadoes  Aloes. 

1  ounce  of  Venice  Soap. 

1  ounce  of  Tunncric. 

1  dram  of  Oil  of  Juniper. 

All  to  be  brayed  in  a  mortar  with  a  little  Byrup  of  buck- 
thorn, and  made  into  two  balls  ;  one  to  be  given  at  night, 
and  the  other  in  the  morning,  with  plenty  of  warm  water, 
and  walking  exercise  till  TNTOught  off. 

If  the  horse  is  better  after  the  first  medicine,  repeat  it,  for 
it  is  much  safer  than  the  last ;  but  if  not,  the  last  may  be 
given,  and  repeated  as  need  requires  ;  but  be  careful  not  to 
give  it  in  less  than  six  days  distance. 

If,  after  giving  one  dose  of  the  last  ball,  you  give  the  fol- 
lowing powders  every  day  in  celantine  tea.  if  it  can  be  got, 
or  in  warm  ale,  you  will  find  them  very  useful  in  removing 
the  complaint. 

2  oimces  of  Salts  of  Tartar. 

1  oimce  of  ^thiop's  MineraL 

2  ounces  of  Turmeric. 

These  powders  are  proper  to  be  given  after  either  of  the 
former  doses. 


OR,    nORSK    DOCTOR,  15 


The  Staggers. 

THs  disease  in  caused  by  the  liver  making  blood  so  fast 
that  the  cavity  of  the  heart  is  overloaded  and  the  blood  flies 
up  the  neck  vein  till  the  head  is  overloaded  too  ;  and  if  re- 
lief can  not  be  obtained,  the  horse  soon  dies. 

Symptoms. — The  most  common  are,  drowsiness,  watery  and 
somewhat  full  and  inflamed  eyes,  a  disposition  to  reel,  fee- 
bleness, a  bad  appetite,  the  head  generally  hanging  down, 
or  resting  on  the  manger.  There  is  little  or  no  fever,  and 
the  dung  and  urine  are  very  little  altered.  The  horse  soon 
begins  to  reel,  and  falls  down,  and  sometimes  is  so  outra- 
geous as  to  bite  every  thing  in  his  way. 

Cure. — In  the  first  place,  bleed  him  well  as  soon  as  you 
possibly  can.  by  striking  the  veins  in  several  places  at  once, 
and  taking  away  four  or  five  quarts  at  one  time  ;  and,  in 
order  to  raise  up  his  head  and  shoulders,  support  them  with 
plenty  of  straw.  If  he  survive  the  first  fit,  cut  several 
rowels,  give  him  clysters  at  night  and  morning,  made  of  bar- 
ley-water and  a  little  sweet  oil  and  salt  ;  and  blow  up  his 
nostrils  a  little  Cayenne  pepper,  or  white  hellebore.  Also 
give  Mm 

4  drams  of  Bark. 
16  grains  of  Turbeth  Mineral. 
1^  ounce  of  Camphor. 

Give  it  in  a  little  warm  ale.  When  ale  cannot  be  con- 
veniently had,  any  other  beverage  to  disguise  the  taste 
will  answer.     If  the  horse  be  outrageous,  give  him 

1  ounce  of  Tincture,  of  Opium. 

1  gill  of  Syrup  of  Poppies. 

1  ounce  of  Tincture  Guaiacum. 

Be  careful  not  to  let  him  knock  his  head,  for  it  will  in- 
crease the  disorder.  If  he  gets  through  the  first  fit,  give 
him  two  ounces  of  crocus  metalorum  every  day,  to  thin  his 
blood  for  fear  of  a  relapse.  It  will  be  proper  to  give  him 
the  following  ball  once  a  month  for  some  time  after : 

1  ounce  of  Rhubarb,  in  powder. 
V^  ounce  of  Jalap. 
1  dram  of  Calomel,  8  drams  to  the  ounce. 

To  be  made  into  a  ball  with  syrup  of  buckthorn.  This 
ball  will  be  of  great  use  in  thinning  the  blood,  and  prevent- 
ing a  return  of  the  disorder  ;  for  when  a  horse  has  had  one 
fit  of  it,  he  is  very  likely  to  have  another,  if  care  be  not 
taken  to  prevent  it. 


16 


TILE    COMPLETE    FARRIER, 


Convulsions,  or  the  Stag  Evil. 


Of  all  disorders  to  which  horses  are  subject,  this  is  the> 
worst,  and  is  scarcely  discoverable  till  the  horse  falls  down 
raging  mad.  It  seizes  him  all  at  once,  without  any  previous 
warning.  He  raises  Jiis  head,  Avith  his  nose  toward  the  rack, 
pricks  up  his  ears,  and  cocks  his  tail.  In  this  posture  he 
continues,  and  those  who  do  not  understand  the  disorder 
never  suppose  that  he  ails  any  thing  of  consequence.  But 
other  symptoms  soon  convince  them  of  their  mistake  ;  for 
his  neck  grows  stitf,  cramped,  and  almost  immovable  ;  his 
jaws  are  locked,  and  every  tendon  in  his  body  becomes 
stiff".  If  he  can  get  his  mouth  open  he  will  bite  any  thing 
that  comes  in  his  way  ;  and  if  he  lives  a  few  days  in  this 
condition,  several  knots  will  arise  on  the  tendinoas  parts  of 
it.  Every  muscle  is  so  much  cramped  and  extended,  that 
the  horse  looks  as  if  he  were  fastened  to  the  place,  with  his 
legs  stiff,  wide,  and  staggering,  and  the  skin  drawn  so  tight 
over  every  part  of  his  body,  that  it  is  almost  impossible  for 
him  to  move  ;  and  if  you  attempt  to  make  him  walk,  he  will 
be  ready  to  fall  at  every  step,  unless  he  be  well  supported. 
At  the  same  time  his  eyes  are  so  fixed  by  the  contraction 
of  the  muscles  as  to  give  him  a  dead  look.  He  snorts  and 
Bueezes  often,  pants  continually,  and  his  shortness  of  breath 
increases  till  the  distemper  takes  a  favorable  turn,  or  the 
horse  falls  down  and  dies. 

Curb. — In  the  first  place,  bleed  plentifully,  unless  the  horse 
be  old  and  low  in  flesh,  or  taken  from  some  hard  duty,  and 
then  you  must  not  take  so  much  blood.  After  bleeding  give 
the  following  ball,  if  you  can  get  it  in,  but  the  horse  is  very 
often  jaw-locked  till  nothing  can  be  got  in  but  by  clyster- 
pipe  put  between  his  fore  and  axle  teeth. 

%  ounce  of  Assofoetida. 
^  ounce  of  Gum  Guaiacum. 
f  %  ounce  of  Gum  Camphor. 

Make  them  up  into  a  ball  with  honey,  and  give  one  of 
these  balls  every  twelve  hours,  for  two  days,  if  you  can  get 
them  in  ;  and  if  not,  dissolve  them  in  a  little  hot  beer,  and 
give  them  with  the  clyster-pipe.  Be  careful  to  poM'der  the 
Gums.     Then  make  an  ointment  or  lotion  of  the  following  : 

1  ounce  of  Oil  of  Spike. 
1  ounce  of  Oil  of  Amber. 
1  ounce  of  Oil  of  Bricks. 
1  ounce  of  Spirits  of  Sal  Ammoniac. 

Shake  them  well  together,  and  rub  the  jaAvs  just  below  the 


OK,    HORSE    DOCTOR,  jy 

cars,  where  thej  lock  in  the  upper  chap  ;  also  rub  the  small 
of  the  back  well,  where  the  cross  bones  join  the  back  bone. 

In  this,  as  in  most  other  disorders,  the  body  should  be  kept 
gently  open  with  laxative  purges  and  emollient  clysters. 
When  the  jaws  are  so  locked  that  you  can  not  get  any  thing 
in,  do  not  open  them  by  force,  for  that  would  increase  the 
disorder  instead  of  relieving  it. 

Sheep  skins,  newly  taken  off,  and  laid  with  the  flesh  side 
to  the  hor.se,  will  sweat  hiui  greatly,  and  by  that  means  draw 
a  quantity  of  water  from  the  blood  :  indeed,  there  are  few 
things  that  will  relieve  a  locked  jaw  more  :  but  if  they  be 
laid  on  the  loins,  they  must  not  lie  above  three  hours  at  a 
time  before  they  are  turned  with  the  wool  side  to  the  horse. 
You  may  keep  the  skius  on  twenty-four  hours  if  you  change 
sides  every  two  or  three  hours. 

If  the  horse  can  not  take  either  food  or  water  in  at  his 
mouth,  he  must  be  supported  by  clysters,  made  of  barley- 
water  and  milk,  and  given  both  at  the  mouth  and  the  funda- 
ment. I  once  supported  a  large  wagon-horse  in  this  manner 
for  twelve  days,  and  he  recovered. 

Convulsions  are  caused  by  different  things,  but  often  by 
bots  in  the  stomach  ;  for  these  destructive  vermin  suck  up 
the  juices  that  should  feed  the  blood,  and  bring  it  into  a 
thin,  bad  state  ;  indeed  they  are  sure  to  destroy  the  horse 
by  one  means  or  other  when  there  are  a  great  number  of 
them  in  the  stomach. 

When  you  suspect  that  these  vermin  are  the  cause  of  the 
disorder,  give  the  ball  recommended  to  destroy  bots.  If  the 
horse  get  better  the  first  time,  be  sure  to  guard  against  a  re- 
lapse, for  he  will  not  be  apt  to  get  tetter  a  second  time. 

Tapping  under  the  jaws,  and  at  the  breast,  is  sometimes 
of  great  service  in  this  disorder,  but  I  am  of  opinion  that 
sweating  with  sheep  skins  will  relieve  much  sooner.  If  the 
stiffness  of  the  jaws  continues  after  tne  convulsions  have 
ceased,  the  following  medicine  should  be  given  : 

l*i  ounce  of  Matthews'  Pill. 
^^  ounce  of  Assafoetida. 

Make  them  into  a  ball,  and  give  it  twice,  (one  day  between 
the  doses,)  and  it  will  give  relief. 

Fevers. 

Horses  are  subject  to  few  disorders  which  are  not  attended 
with  more  or  less  fever. 
Causes. — Fevers  are  often  brought  on  by  sudden  heats  and 

by  be- 
o 


18  THE    COMPLETE   FARRIt^, 

ing  clothed,  and  then  having  the  clothes  stript  off;  and  by- 
being  turned  out  to  grass  ;  for  many  people  turn  their  horses 
out  to  grass  in  the  morning,  and  let  them  lay  out,  -which  is 
quite  wrong  :  for  when  they  are  turned  out  to  grass,  to  be 
there  night  and  day,  it  is  best  to  turn  them  out  at  night,  for 
then  they  will  graze  all  night ;  but  if  you  turn  them  out  in 
the  morning,  they  will  fill  themselves  in  the  day-time,  ani 
lie  still  all  night,  which  is  the  way  to  catch  cold.  Most 
fevers  are  brought  on  by  colds,  therefore  be  careful  to  keep 
your  horses  as  much  as  possible  from  catching  cold. 

Symptoms. — The  horse  is  remarkably  restless,  ranging  from 
one  end  of  his  rack  to  the  other  :  his  flanks  work,  his  eyes 
appear  red  and  inflamed,  his  tongue  is  parched,  and  his 
breath  hot  and  of  a  strong  smell.  He  often  smells  at  the 
ground,  he  loses  his  apjietite,  and  though  he  will  take  hay 
into  his  mouth,  he  does  not  chew  it ;  his  whole  body  is  hot- 
ter than  usual,  but  not  parched  :  he  dungs  often,  but  little  at 
a  time,  and  it  is  generally  hard,  and  in  small  pieces  ;  his 
urine  is  high-colored,  and  he  generally  stales  with  pain  and 
difficulty  ;  he  is  always  craving  for  Avater.  but  drinks  very 
little  at  a  time  ;  and  his  pulse  is  much  quicker  than  usual. 

Cure. — Whenever  a  fever  takes  place,  the  first  part  of  a 
cure  is  bleeding,  and  if  the  horse  be  strong  and  in  good  con- 
dition, the  quantity  should  be  two  or  three  quarts.  When 
this  has  been  done,  give  him  a  pint  at  a  time  of  the  fol- 
lowing infusion,  three  or  four  times  a  day : 

4  ounces  of  Juice  of  Liquorice. 

4  ounces  of  Liquorice  Root. 

2  ounces  of  Salt  Petre. 

4  ounces  of  Salt  of  Tartar. 

8  ounces  of  Grood  Raisins. 

2  ounces  of  Aniseeds. 

2  drams  of  Saffron. 
Boil  all  these  together  in  six  quarts  of  water,  for  ten  min- 
utes ;  let  it  stand  till  cold,  and  then  strain  it  off.  It  is  one 
of  the  best  medicines  for  colds,  coughs,  hoarseness,  or  fevers, 
in  either  horse  or  man  ;  and  if  it  were  more  known,  and 
more  used,  it  would  give  greater  relief  in  violent  colds  than 
any  thing  yet  found  out.  It  is  kind  in  its  operations,  open- 
ing to  the  "lungs,  works  gently  by  stool  and  urine,  is  free  in 
its  passage,  and  opening  in  its  nature. 

The  horse  should  scarcely  eat  any  thing  but  mashes  made 
o^  linseed  and  bran,  and  g-iven  in  small  quantities.  If  he 
j'^fuses  them,  let  him  have  dry  bran  sprinkled  with  water, 
-'Od  put  a  little  hay  into  his  rack,  as  a  small  quantity  of  it 
■.<i  not  hurt  him,,  and  a  horse  will  often  eat  hay  when  bo 


OK,    UOESE    DOCTOR.  29 

will  not  eat  any  thing  else.  Ills  water  should  be  rather 
warm,  and  given  often,  bnt  in  ?maU  quantities  ;  aud  his 
clothing  moderate,  too  much  heat  being  pernicious  in  a  le- 
ver. If  he  refuse  his  meat,  do  not  let  it  lie  before  him,  but 
take  it  away,  and  clean  his  rack  aud  manger.  If  he  be  able 
to  go  about,  a  little  walking  exercise  in  the  open  air  will  be 
very  proper,  but  you  must  be  careful  not  to  get  him  wet. 

This  method,  with  good  nursing,  Avill  often  be  sufficient  to 
restore  the  horse  to  health  ;  but  if  he  refuse  his  meat,  more 
blood  should  be  taken  from  him,  and  the  drink  continued  ; 
and  if  his  dung  be  hard  and  knotty,  a  clyster  should  be 
given. 

Take  Marshmallows  and 

Cainoinile  Flowers,  a  handful  each. 
Boil  one-third  away  in  three  quarts  water — sti'ain,  and  add 
4  ounces  of  Venice  Treacle. 

1  pint  of  Pale  Rape  Oil. 

The  above  will  make  three  clysters,  to  be  given  at  four 
hours  distance.  If  his  pulse  continue  high  and  quick,  give 
the  following  : 

2  ounces  of  Nitre. 

2  ounces  of  Cream  of  Tartar. 

4  ounces  of  Glauber's  Salt. 

2  ounces  of  Lenitive  Electuaiy. 

Dissolve  them  in  hot  water,  give  one-half,  and  the  other 
half  the  day  following.  If  the  horse  be  very  open  in  his 
body,  you  need  not  give  the  above  ;  but  if  dry,  be  sure  to 
give  it  him.  If  he  be  very  open,  give  him  four  drams  of 
bark  in  a  gill  of  red  port.  By  pursuing  this  method,  the 
horse  will  begin  to  recover,  and  will  relish  his  hay,  though 
his  flanks  Avill  continue  to  heave  for  a  fortnight.  Nothing 
more  will  be  requisite  to  complete  the  cure  than  walking 
him  abroad  in  the  air,  and  giving  him  plenty  of  clean  litter 
to  rest  on  in  the  stable. 

There  is  anothei-  and  much  worse  kind  of  fever  to  which 
horses  are  often  subject,  and  which  often  proves  fatal  if  not 
properly  treated,  viz.  : 

A  Compound  Fever. 

Symptoms.  —The  symptoms  of  this  disease  are — a  slow  fe- 
ver, Avith  great  depression  ;  and  sometimes  inward  heat  and 
outward  cold,  and  at  other  times  heat  all  over,  but  not  ex- 
cessive. The  horse's  eyes  are  moist  and  languid  ;  his  month 
is  continually  moist,  so  that  he  is  not  desirous  of  drinking, 
and  when  he  does  drink,  a  very  little  satisfies  him  ;  he  eats 
very  little,  and  moves  his  joints  in  a  loose,  feeble  manner. 


20  THE   COMTLETE    FARRIER, 

prating  his  teeth  very  disagreeably  ;  his  body  is  generally 
open,  his  dung  soft  and  moist,  and  he  stales  irregularly, 
sometimes  making  little  water,  and  at  others  a  large  quau- 
•tity,  which- is  of  a  pale  color,  and  has  very  little  sediment. 

CuKK. —  In  the  first  place,  take  from  the  horse  a  moderate 
quantity  of  blood.  Let  it  not  exceed  three  pints,  but  repeat 
the  operation  according  to  its  strength,  if  there  be  any  ten- 
dency to  inflammation  ;  after  this  the  nitre  drink  already 
described  may  be  given,  with  the  following  addition  : 

1  ounce  of  Snake  Root. 

3  flraiiis  of  S.iffron. 

3  drams  of  Camphor,  dissolved  in  Spirits  of  "Wine. 

The  horse's  diet  should  be  scalded  bran  ;  and  linseed, 
boiled,  and  wrought  up  with  bran.  Also  give  him  the  best 
hay  by  a  handful  at  a  time.  It  is  often  necessary  to  feed 
him  by  the  hand,  for  sometimes  he  is  not  able  to  lift  his  head 
to  the  rack. 

In  this  disease,  drinking  is  absolutely  necessary  to  thin 
the  blood  ;  and  therefore  if  the  horse  refuses  warm  water,  he 
should  be  indulged  with  such  only  as  had  the  cold  taken  off. 
This  niay  be  done  with  a  hot  iron,  or  by  letting  it  stand  in 
the  pail  in  a  warm  stable  ;  and  this  will  be  better  than 
forcing  warm  water  on  the  horse's  stomach.  If  this  method 
does  not  prove  sufficient,  but  the  fever  shall  continue  to  in- 
crease, the  following  ball  should  be  given  immediately,  as 
the  danger  augments  every  hour. 

1   ounce  of  Camphor. 
V<j  (mnce  of  Hum  Myrrh. 

1  ounce  of  Riiuilis. 

2  drams  of  Castor. 

Make  them  up  into  two  balls,  and  give  one  at  night,  and 
the  other  in  the  morning.  If  no  better  in  a  short  time, 
give  the  following  infusion  : 

1  ounce  of  .<5nake  "Root. 

2  ounces  of  (rpntian  Root. 
2  ounces  of  Lemon  Peel. 
2  drams  of  Saffron. 

Boil  these  well  together  in  three  quarts  of  water,  and  give 
a  pint  once  a  day.  If  the  above  ball  fails  of  success,  give 
tne  following  : 

1  ounce  of  Camphor,  dissolved  in  Spirits  of  "Wine. 
1  ounce  of  Sal  Ammoniac. 
1  pint  of  good  Vinegar. 

Put  them  all  together,  and  stir  them  about  till  the  fume 
subsides.  This  is  for  two  doses  to  be  taken  at  twelve  hours' 
distance,  diluted  with  water.     There  is  not  perhaps  a  moru 


OR,    nORSE    DOCTOR.  21 

powerful  and  effectual  medicine  known  than  camphor  in  all 
kinds  of  putrid  fevers,  it  being  active,  attenuating,  and  par- 
ticularly calculated  to  promote  urine  and  perspiration,  the 
two  principal  outlets  by  which  relief  is  to  be  obtained  ;  and 
'if  this  medicine  were  more  often  given  than  it  is,  it  would 
be  a  greater  credit  to  the  farrier,  and  give  greater  relief  to 
the  horse. 

If  the  horse  be  costive,  clysters,  or  an  opening  drink, 
should  be  given  ;  and  should  he  purge  moderately,  be  care- 
ful not  to  suppress  it ;  but  if  it  continue  so  long  as  to  en- 
feeble the  horse,  give  him  a  little  red  port  wine  and  bark. 
Also  observe  to  let  the  animal  drink  plentifully,  for  that  will 
greatly  promote  the  operation  of  the  above  named  medi- 
cines, as  both  the  disorder  and  the  medicines  will  cause  a 
thirst.  If  the  horse  can  bear  walking  about,  a  little  open 
air  will  be  proper,  but  be  careful  to  keep  him  well  covered. 
Particular  attention  should  also  bo  paid  to  his  staling,  which 
if  it  flow  in  too  great  quantities,  must  be  repressed  by  pro- 
per astringents,  and  by  giving  him  lime-water  ;  and,  on  the 
other  hand,  if  he  stale  so  little  as  to  occasion  a  fullness  or 
swelling  in  his  body  and  legs,  give  the  following  drink : 

1  oiuice  of  Xitre. 

2  ounces  of  Castile  Soap. 

1  ounce  of  Venice  Turpentine. 

2  drams  of  Oil  of  Juniper 

Make  them  into  a  ball  with  liquorice  powder,  and  give 
them  at  twice  twenty-four  hours  distance.  These  balls  may 
be  given  as  occasions  may  require,  and  are  very  proper  to 
convey  off  the  greasy,  slimy  matter  from  the  passage  of  the 
urine,  and  to  settle  swelled  legs. 

These  are  the  best  methods  of  management,  and  will  gen' 
erally  prove  successful ;  but  sometimes  art  will  fail,  and  the 
horse  will  discharge  a  greenish  or  a  reddish  gleet  from  his 
nostrils,  and  sneeze  very  frequently  ;  he  will  continue  to 
lose  his  flesh,  become  hide-bound,  refuse  his  meat,  swell 
about  his  joints,  and  his  eyes  will  appear  fixed  and  dead  ; 
a  purging  also  ensues,  and  a  dark-colored,  foetid  matter  is 
discharged.  When  these  symptoms  appear,  the  case  may  be 
considered  desperate,  and  all  attempts  to  save  the  horse  will 
be  fruitless. 

In  this  disorder  you  must  take  care  not  to  let  the  horse 
eat  too  much,  for  his  diet  should  be  light,  and  in  small  quan- 
tities at  once,  and  increased  gradually  as  he  may  gain 
gtrength.  When  his  skin  feels  kind,  his  ears  and  feet  con- 
tinue moderately  warm,  his  eyes  look  lively,  his  nose  re- 
mains clean  and  dry,  his  appetite  mends,  he  lies  down  with 


22  THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER, 

ease,  and  dungs  and  stales  well,  you  may  conclude  that  tlie 
danger  is  nearly  over,  and  that  nothing  more  is  needful  but 
care  to  complete  the  cure.  On  the  contrary,  by  overfeeding, 
you  will  run  the  risk  of  bringing  on  a  bad  surfeit,  and  the 
horse  may  be,  according  to  the  old  saying, — killed  icith 
keeping. 

Sometimes  the  fever  returns  ;  so  that  every  one  who  has 
a  horse  in  a  fever  should  be  careful  of  cold  for  some  time 
after,  as  his  blood  is  left  in  a  thin,  bad  state.  His  legs  will 
probably  be  subject  to  swell ;  and  if  the  swelling  leave  a 
dimple  when  you  press  your  finger  upon  it,  it  is  a  sign  of  a 
dropsy  ;  in  which  case  it  will  be  advisable  to  put  two  rowels 
on  each  side  of  his  belly,  and  to  give  him  half  an  ounce  of 
the  best  yellow  bark  every  day  for  some  time.  At  other 
times  a  fever  leaves  a  running  at  his  nose,  of  a  thin,  yellow, 
glueish  matter,  and  small  swellings  below  his  ears  and 
chaps.  When  you  find  these  symptoms,  give  one  ounce  of 
crocus  metalorum  every  day  in  a  mash  of  bran,  and  rub  the 
swellings  with  mercurial  ointment. 

Care  should  be  taken  to  keep  the  head  and  throat  warmer 
than  common,  as  the  kernels  about  the  latter  are  swelled  ; 
and  also  to  promote  a  free  perspiration,  and  to  increase  the 
running  at  the  nose,  which  has  the  same  effect  in  horses  as 
spitting  has  in  the  human  species  ;  but  never  syringe  the 
nose,  as  is  often  done,  to  promote  the  discharge,  for  it  has 
an  efl'ect  quite  contrary,  and  lessens  the  quantity  of  matter 
instead  of  increasing  it ;  and  checking  the  discharge  of  mat- 
ter at  the  nostrils  often  causes  swellings  at  the  glands,  and 
other  bad  consequences.  Let  me  once  for  all  remind  you 
that  all  such  discharges  are  critical,  and  thrown  by  Nature 
to  free  herself  from  the  load  that  oppresses  her,  and  conse- 
quently should  by  all  means  be  promoted. 

A  Broken  Wind. 

This  disorder  may  sometimes  be  prevented,  but  can  not 
be  cured  ;  and  it  has  hitherto  been  as  little  understood  as 
any  to  which  a  horse  is  subject.  People  have  had  various 
opinions  respecting  its  cause,  and  why  some  horses  are 
more  subject  to  it  than  others  ;  but  of  all  the  opinions  hitherto 
delivered,  that  of  Mr,  Gibson  seems  the  best  founded.  He 
thinks  that  it  is  frequently  owing  to  the  hasty  or  injudicious 
feeding  of  young  horses  for  sale  ;  by  wliich  means  the 
growth  of  the  lungs  is  rapidly  increased,  and  all  the  con- 
tents of  the  chest  so  much  enlarged,  that  in  a  few  years  the 
cavity  of  the  chest  is  not  sufficient  to  contain  them  when 


OK,    UORSJE    DOCTOR.  2'S 

they  are  expander!  ♦?>  perform  their  proper  functions.  Nor 
is  this  opinion  founie'l  upon  bare  conjecture,  for  horses  that 
have  died  broke n-^vlUfled  have  been  opened,  and  the  lungs 
and  other  parts  fou/ii  too  large  for  the  chest,  lint  although 
hasty  feeding  is  often  the  cause  of  this  disorder,  yet  it  is  not 
always,  for  a  narrow  chest  may  cause  it.  It  has  been  ob- 
served that  horses  rising  eight  years  old  are  most  subject  to 
it.  The  reason  of  this  is,  because  a  horse  arrives  at  his  full 
strength  and  maturiuj  at  that  age.  At  six  he  generally  fin- 
ishes his  growth  in  height  ;  then  he  lets  down  his  belly,  and 
spreads,  and  all  his  parts  gain  their  full  si.ze  ;  so  that  the 
pressure  on  the  limgs  iMxd  the  midriff  is  now  increased. 

Also,  when  the  horse  catches  cold  and  gets  a  dry  cough, 
the  lungs  are  much  larjjer  than  they  ought  to  be,  and  at  that 
time  riding  sharply  is  enough  to  force  the  lungs  so  hard 
against  the  midriff  as  to  force  a  passage  through  it.* 

A  few  years  back  scrae  people  pretended  to  cure  the  com- 
plaint by  boring  ;  hot  none  were  ever  cured  by  it  yet,  nor 
ever  will  be.  They  made  a  hole  above  the  fundament,  to 
let  out  the  wind  that  was  forced  through  the  midriff  into  the 
bowels  ;  and  this  caused  the  horse  to  be  continually  dis- 
charging wind  out  of  the  place  ;  so  that  the  pretended  cure 
was  worse  than  the  disease. 

Dissections  of  horses  that  have  died  broken  winded,  have 
sufficiently  proved  the  truth  of  the  above  observations  ;  and 
that  not  only  the  lungs,  together  with  the  heart  and  its  bag, 
were  preternaturally  large,  but  also  the  membrane  Avhich 
divides  the  chest ;  and  that  the  midriff  was  remarkably  thin. 
In  some  horses  the  disproportion  has  been  so  great  that  the 
heart  and  lungs  have  been  almost^  twice  their  natural  size, 
yet  perfectly  sound  :  and  without  any  ulceration  whatever, 
or  the  least  defect  in  the  windpipe  or  in  its  glands. 

From  these  observations  it  abundantly  appears,  that  the 
enormous  size  of  the  lungs,  and  other  contents  of  the  chest, 
by  hindering  the  free  action  of  the  midriff,  is  the  principal 
cause  of  this  disorder  ;  and  as  the  lungs  are  found  much 
more  fleshy  than  usual,  they  must  consequently  have  lost  a 
great  part  of  their  spring  and  tone. 

Therefore,  as  this  disorder  is  caused  by  the  largeness  off 
the  lungs,  we  may  conclude  that  it  is  one  of  those  diseasesj 
which  can  not  be  cured  by  art ;  and  that  the  boastings  of 
those  who  pretend  to  cure  it  are  built  on  a  sandy  foundation. 
They  may  indeed  relieve  the  complaint,  but  will  never  cure 

*  The  Midriff,  or  Diaphragm,  Ls  that  which  is  commonly  called  the 
Sltirts,  and  separates  the  Chest  (where  the  lungs  lie)  from  the  Bowels. 


24  THE    COifPLETK    FARUIER, 

it,  for  an  absolute  cure  is  not  in  the  power  of  any  human 
being.  All  that  I  can  do  is  to  lay  down  some  rules  which 
have  a  great  tendency  to  prevent  this  disorder,  if  pursued  in 
time  ;  and  some  remedies  that  will  allord  relief  when  it  hag 
taken  place  and  render  the  horse  capable  of  performing  good 
service,  notwithstanding  his  misfortune. 

St.vlptoms. — The  first  symptoms  of  a  Broken  Wind  is  an 
obstinate  dry  cough,  which  is  neither  attended  with  sickness 
nor  loss  of  appetite  ;  but  on  the  contrary,  with  a  disposi- 
tion to  foul  feeding,  eating  the  litter,  and  drinking  large 
quantities  of  water. 

Prevention-. — YvTien  a  horse  is  troubled  with  an  obstinate 
dry  cough,  and  eats  his  litter,  it  vriW  be  necessary  to  bleed 
him,  and  to  give  him  the  mercurial  physic  already  prescribed, 
repeating  it  two  or  three  times.  Afterwards  give  the  fol- 
lowing balls  for  some  time,  which  have  been  found  of  great 
service  : 

4  ounces  of  Grum  Ammoniacum. 
4  ouxices  of  Galbanum. 
4  ouxices  of  Ass.ifoetida. 
4  ounces  of  Squills. 
^  ounce  of  SatTron. 
6  drams  of  Cinnabar  of  Antimony. 

Make  the  whole  up  into  balls  with  honey  and  a  little  liquo- 
rice powder,  and  give  one  about  the  size  of  a  pullet's  egg 
every  other  morning.  This  is  a  very  good  ball  for  a  dry 
cough. 

But  it  is  not  enough  to  give  proper  medicines  ;  the  horse's 
diet  should  also  be  carefully  attended  to  at  the  same  time, 
if  we  would  hope  for  success.  In  order  to  this,  the  horse 
should  eat  very  sparingly  of  hay.  which,  as  well  as  his  grain, 
should  be  wetted  with  chamber-ley,  which  is  much  better 
than  water.  Chamber-ley  is  best  for  this  purpose,  because 
of  the  volatile  salts  which  it  contains,  as  they  are  a  means 
of  removing  the  thirst.  For  the  same  reason,  garlic  is  very 
efficacious  in  this  disorder.  Two  or  three  cloves  being  given 
in  each  feed  ;  or  three  ounces  bruised,  and  boiled  in  a  quart 
of  milk  and  water,  and  given  every  morning  for  a  fortnight, 
has  been  found  very  serviceable.  So  easy  a  remedy  should 
never  be  neglected ;  for,  by  warming  and  stimulating  the 
Bolids,  and  at  the  same  time  dissolving  the  tenacious  juices' 
which  choke  up  the  vessels  of  the  lungs,  it  greatly  relieves 
this  complaint.  Moderate  exercise  should  never  be  omit- 
ted ;  and  although  broken-winded  horses  are  not  able  to 
endure  much  labor  the  first  summer,  yet  many  have  been 
found  less  oppressed  the  second,  and  scarcely  perceptibly 


OR,    nORSE    L>OCTOR.  25 

affected  the  third,  being  then  able  to  perform  a  long  jour- 
ney, and  to  endiu-e  great  fatigue.  A  horse  kept  constantly 
in  the  field,  when  not  in  work,  \vill  be  able  to  do  good  ser- 
vice for  many  years. 

It  may  not  be  improper  to  observe  that  those  who  hope 
to  cure  a  broken-winded  horse,  or  even  one  that  is  troubled 
with  an  obstinate  cough,  by  putting  him  to  grass,  will  find 
themselves  wretchedly  mistaken  ;  for  on  being  taken  into  the 
stable  and  fed  with  dry  meat,  he  will  be  much  worse  than 
before  ;  and  some  that.had  only  a  dry  cough  when  they  were 
put  to  grass,  have  returned  broken  winded.  Therefore, 
always  remember  that  if  you  can  not  keep  a  horse  of  this 
description  constantly  abroad,  it  is  best  not  to  put  him  to 
grass  at  all,  as,  instead  of  curing,  it  will  tend  to  augment 
the  disorder. 

In  short,  the  grand  secret  of  managing  horses  of  this  kind, 
consists  in  having  particular  regard  to  their  diet  and  exer- 
cise. A  moderate  quantity  of  hay  or  grain,  and  water,  should 
be  given  at  a  time,  and  the  former  constantly  moistened,  to 
prevent  their  wanting  too  much  of  the  latter.  They  should 
have  moderate  exercise,  but  never  any  that  is  violent.  By 
this  method,  and  giving  the  following  ball  once  every  fort- 
night or  three  weeks,  the  horse  will  be  able  to  do  good  service 
for  many  years  : 

6  drams  of  Socotrine  Aloes. 

2  draaas  of  ]Myrrh. 

2  drams  of  Galbannm. 

2  drams  of  Ammoniactim. 

2  ounces  ot  Bayberries,  in  powder. 

Make  the  whole  into  a  ball  with  a  little  oil  of  amber,  and 
a  sufficient  quantity  of  syrup  of  buckthorn.  This  ball  ope- 
rates so  gently  that  there  is  no  need  for  confinement,  except 
a  little  the  day  following  that  on  which  it  is  given.  The 
horse  must  have  warm  mashes  and  warm  water,  and  the  ut- 
most care  must  be  taken  to  prevent  his  catching  cold. 

A  Consumption. 

Symptoms. — A  Consumption  is  a  want  of  nourishment,  and 
a  waste  of  flesh.  The  horse's  eyes  look  dull,  his  ears  and 
feet  are  commonly  hot.  he  coughs  violently  by  fits,  sneezes 
often,  and  groans  at  the  same  time  ;  he  gleets  at  the  nose, 
and  sometimes  throws  a  yellowish  matter,  rather  curdled, 
from  his  nose  ;  his  flanks  have  a  quick  motion,  and  he  has 
little  appetite  to  hay,  though  he  will  eat  grain,  but  hegrowa 
hot  after  it.  '^^ 

Causes. — Damp  stables  are  most  likely  to  bring  on  this 


26  THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER, 

disorder,  though  it  maybe  brought  on  bj  many  other  things. 
In  my  time  I  have  known  many  horses  sufier  much  by  damp 
stables.  I  knew  a  gentleman  who  had  two  valuable  horses, 
and  he  built  a  brick  stable  tor  them,  without  any  air-holes 
above  their  heads.  lie  put  the  horses  in  as  soon  as  the 
stable  appeared  dry,  and  their  heat  soon  caused  the  walls 
of  the  place  to  sweat,  and  to  run  down  with  water,  by  which 
means  both  the  horses  were  thrown  into  a  Consumption  and 
died.     I  mention  this  to  caution  othei-s. 

Cure. — The  first,  and  indeed  one  of  the  principal  things  to 
be  done,  is  to  bleed  in  small  quantities.  A  pint,  or  at  most 
a  pint  and  a  half,  is  sufficient  at  once,  and  the  operation  is  to 
be  repeated  whenever  the  breath  is  more  than  commonly 
oppressed.  We  are  assured,  by  dissection,  that  in  a  Con- 
sumption both  the  glands  of  the  lungs  and  the  mesenteiy  are 
swelled,  and  often  indurated.  The  only  medicines  that  can 
be  depended  upon,  are  mercurial  purges  and  ponderous 
alteratives.  I  have  already  given  you  examples  of  the 
former,  and  the  following  is  a  formula  of  the  latter.     Mix 

4  ounces  of  Crocus  ^Ictalorum. 

1  ounce  of  Calomel  pp. 

1  pound  of  Gum  Guaiacum,  finely  powdered. 

Give  about  an  ounce  every  day  in  a  m^sh  of  bran  and 
linseed.  Iceland  liverwort,  a  handful  boiled  in  a  gallon  of 
water,  is  much  better  to  make  maslfes  up  Avith  than  water  ; 
for  it  is  a  great  helper  of  the  blood.  But  it  is  to  be  ob- 
served that  nothing  will  answer  so  good  an  end  as  Spring 
grass  ;  so  that  if  the  horse  be  afflicted  with  this  disease  in 
Spring  time,  turn  him  out  to  grass  as  soon  as  you  can  ;  and 
if  the  nights  be  cold,  turn  him  out  in  the  day-time,  and  take 
him  in  a^t  nights.  Salt  marshes  are  the  most  proper  places, 
when  they  can  be  met  with.  AVhen  a  horse  has  had  this 
disorder,  he  can  never  more  bear  cold  and  hard  service  as 
before. 

A  Scouring,  and  Other  Disorders  of  the  Intestines. 

You  should  consider  well  what  the  Scouring  proceeds 
from,  whether  it  is  caused  by  foul  feeding,  bad  water,  hard 
exercise,  sudden  heat  or  cold,  an  overflowing  of  bile,  or  ft 
weakness  of  the  intestines. 

If  it  is  brought  on  by  foul  feeding,  or  bad  water,  it  should 
not  be  stopped,  but  rather  be  promoted  ;  for  it  should  be 
7'emeiBtbered  that  Nature  by  this  means  throws  off  the  seeds 
of  disease,  and  evacuates  the  morbid  matter  which  would 
otherwise  be  retained  to  the  great  disadvantage,  and  per- 


OR,    HORSE    DOCTOR  27 

haps  to  the  destruction,  of  the  animal.  The  great  difficulty 
therefore  consists  in  knowing  when  these  discharges  are 
critical  and  salutary,  and  when  detrimental  and  noxious  ; 
for  the  former  must  not  be  checked,  but  the  aid  of  medicine, 
must  be  called  in  to  put  a  stop  to  the  latter. 

For  instance, — if  a  healthy  horse,  upon  taking  cold,  or 
after  hard  riding,  over  feeding,  or  at  the  beginning  of  a 
slight  fever,  have  a  moderate  purging,  you  must  be  careful 
not  to  stop  it.  but  on  the  contrary  to  promote  it,  by  an  open 
diet,  and  plenty  of  warm  gruel.  But  if  this  purging  con- 
tinue a  long  time,  with  smart  gripings,  and  the  inner  skin 
of  the  bowels  come  away  with  the  dung,  and  the  horse  lose 
both  his  flesh  and  his  appetite  at  the  same  time,  recourse 
must  immediately  be  had  to  proper  medicines  ;  among  which 
the  folloAving  are  very  effectual.  I  do  not  wish  any  one  to 
give  medicines  upon  merely  hearing  the  names  of  the  drugs, 
but  to  know  first  in  what  manner  the  drugs  will  operate. 

Take  1  ounce  of  Rhubarb,  in  powder. 
2  drains  of  Myrrh,  do. 

2  drams  of  Saffron. 

Give  altogether  in  warm  ale,  and  warm  water  for  two 
days  after.  This  dose  will  not  only  v>'ork  gently,  but  will  be 
of  great  service  to  the  horse,  as  it  will  bring  away  the  slime 
which  lodges  in  the  small  intestines,  and  correct  the  bile  of 
the  stomach,  which  is  the  cause  of  this  disorder.  When  the 
disorder  continues,  and  the  horse's  flesh  keeps  wasting  away, 
recourse  must  be  had  to  astringents.  Tormentil  Roo't  dried, 
and  pounded  in  a  mortar,  and  put  through  a  seive,  is  one 
of  the  b^t  astringents  yet  found  out,  though  very  little 
known.  The  dose-  is  from  an  ounce  to  an  ounce  and  a  half. 
I  believe  that  this  valuable  root  has  done  more  good  in  my 
time,  in  stopping  looseness  and  bowel  complaints,  than  any 
thing  else.  When  the  purging  is  attended  with  fever,  a  dif- 
ferent method  of  practice  is  necessary. 

Take  ^tj  ounce  of  Rhubarb,  in  powder. 
1  ounce  of  Lenitive  Electuaiy. 
^  ounce  of  Camphor. 
1  ounce  of  Powdered  Ginger. 

To  be  given  in  a  pint  of  old  ale.  This  is  a  very  proper 
medicine  when  the  horse  is  troubled  with  a  fever  ;  but  if  he 
have  no  fever  upon  him,  give  the  following  : 

1  ounce  of  Tormentil  Root,  in  powder. 
^  otince  of  Japan  Earth,  do. 

Give  these  in  red  wine,  or  if  that  bo  thought  too  expensive, 
in  oak  bark  tea.    Japan  earth  is  a  great  healer  of  the  bow- 


28  THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER, 

els.  Repeat  this  last  medieine  three  or  four  times  to  allow 
it  a  fair  trial  ;  giving  the  horse  at  the  same  time  but  little 
exerci^^e.  for  he  can  not  then  bear  much.  Should  this  medi- 
cine fail,  and  the  disorder  increase  instead,  of  decreasing, 
'  -which  may  be  known  by  his  flanks  and  belly  being  full  and 
distended'  and  his  appearing  to  sufler  strong  griping  paina, 
give  the  following  clyster  : 

\(l  ounce  of  I^^iuglass,  dissolved  in  a  quart  of  T\ann  milk. 
2  ounces  of  ilithridate. 

Sometimes  the  flux  is  so  violent  as  not  to  be  overcome  by 
the  preceding  medicine,  when  recourse  must  be  had  to  the 
following.  Boil  a  handful  of  oak  bark  in  a  quart  of  water, 
strain  it  off,  and  add 

2  ounces  of  Tormentil  Root,  in  powder. 
2  ounces  of  Bole. 

Give  them  all  together.  This  should  be  repeated  once  a 
day,  for  two  or  three  days. 

The  practitioner  should  carefully  attend  to  the  symptoms 
that  accompany  this  disorder  ;  for  if  the  discharge  be  at- 
tended with  any  acrid  mucus,  or  slime,  the  griping  pains 
being  very  severe,  there  is  then  a  sure  indication  that  the 
common  lining  of  the  bowels  is  wasted  away  ;  and  then  it 
will  be  necessary  frequently  to  inject  the  following  clyster, 
warm,  in  order  to  prevent  the  fatal  consequences  which  will 
otherwise  soon  ensue  :  **■ 

4  ounces  of  Starch,  dissolved  in  a  quart  of  water. 

Half  a  pint  of  Sweet  Oil. 

Yolks  of  three  Eg{?s,  weU.  broken. 

A  little  Loaf  Sugar. 

This  Avill  do  for  twice,  at  four  hours'  distance. 

In  treating  this  disease,  be  exceedingly  careful  to  follow 
my  directions,  and  to  get  good  drugs,  for  your  success  will 
depend  upon  this,  and  a  cautious  watching  of  the  symptoms. 

It  is  also  necessary  to  observe  that  some  horses,  from  hav- 
ing weak  stomachs  and  bowels,  throw  out  their  aliment  un- 
digested, and  their  dung  is  habitually  soft,  and  of  a  pale 
color ;  they  also  feed  sparingly,  and  are  always  low  in 
flesh.  This  complaint,  Avhich  often  proves  fatal  at  last,  may 
be  removed  by  the  following  medicines  : 

*  6  drams  of  Sncotorine  Aloes. 

3  drains  of  Rhubarb,  in  powder. 
1  dram  of  Myrrh. 
1  dram  of  Saffron. 

Make  all  up  into  a  ball  with  syrup  of  ginger.  After  thft 
above  stomachic  purge  shall  have  been  given  two  or  three 


OR,    HORSE    DOCTOR.  89 

times,  a  pint  of  the  following  infusion  should  be  given  ev^ 
morning  : 

Take  2  ounces  of  Orris  Root, 
A  handful  each  of 
Gentian,  Cohimbia  Root, 

Winter  Bark,         Aniset'ds, 
Orange  Peel,  Fennel  Seeds, 

and  Camomile  Flowers. 

Boil  all  together  in  a  gallon  of  strong  ale,  and  when  cold, 
clear  it  off,  and  add  one  jjint  of  spirits  of  wine.  If  this  be 
thought  too  strong,  two  quarts  more  of  ale  may  be  added. 
This  is  an  excellent  cordial  both  for  healing  and  strengthen- 
ing the  stomach  and  bowels.  These  are  the  best  methods 
of  treating  the  above  disorders,  to  which  horses  are  often 
subject,  and  in  which  they  are  often  lost  for  want  of  proper 
treatment. 

But  before  we  conclude  this  chapter,  it  is  necessary  to  ob- 
sei've  that  the  scourings  which  succeed  long-continued  sick- 
ness, such  as  the  Farcy,  Putrid  Fevers,  or  an  inflamed  state 
of  the  blood,  Avhere  bleeding  and  other  proper  evacuations 
have  been  neglected,  too  often  terminate  fatally  ;  especially 
when  the  creature  discharges  a  foetid  slime,  and  when  the 
same  matter  gleets  from  his  nose  ;  for  in  these  cases  the 
blood  is  dissolved,  and  the  whole  mass  of  the  fluids  is  be 
come  putrid,  and  discharges  itself  by  those  drains. 

Disorders  of  the  Kidneys  and  Bladder. 

Inflammation  of  the  kidneys  and  bladder  are  sometimes 
brought  on  by  other  disorders,  and  often  by  sprains,  hard 
exercise,  catching  cold  when  hot,  or  from  the  want  of  pro- 
per care. 

Symptoms  op  a  Hurt  ix  the  Kidneys. — The  horse  is  very 
weak  in  the  back  and  loins  ;  he  stales  with  difficnlty,  is  faint, 
eats  very  little  ;  his  eyes  appear  languid  and  of  a  dead 
color  ;  his  urine  is  foul,  thick,  and  often  bloody,  especially 
after  a  violent  strain  ;  he  can  not  move  backwards  without 
great  pain,  which  may  be  seen  at  every  attempt.  It  is  some- 
times hard  to  distinguish  an  inflammation  from  a  sprain,  or 
what  is  called,  '•  titled  in  the  back."  There  is  no  method 
but  observing  the  gait  of  the  horse.  If  he  have  got  tifled 
in  the  back,  he  will  be  hard  put  to  it  to  keep  from  coming 
down  behind,  and  indeed  will  often  come  down  ;  his  eyes 
will  look  rather  red,  but  his  urine  the  same  as  before.  A 
tifle  lies  in  the  marrow,  or  pith  of  the  back. 

Clhk. — The  principal  remedy  far  a  hurt  in  the  kidneys  is 
bleeding,  v/hich  should  be  done  pretty  plentifully,  as  by  this 


30  THE    COMrLKTE    KAKRIKB, 

rheans  an  inflammation  will  be  prevented  ;  and  if  you  hiave 
reason  to  think  that  the  inflammation  is  already  begun,  from 
e  creature's  being  feverish,  and  staling  with  great  diffi- 
culty, the  opeyation  should  be  repeated ;  for  unless  the  in- 
flammation be  Prevented,  or  immediately  removed,  the  con- 
sequence will  be  fatal.  But.  although  bleeding  is  the  prin- 
cipal, it  is  not  the  only  remedy,  for  rowelling  is  of  great 
service.  Put  a  rowel  on  each  side  of  his  belly,  and  give  the 
following  balls  twice  a  day.  in  a  pint  of  the  decoction  of 
marshmallows,  having  an  ounce  of  gum  arabic,  and  an  ounce 
of  honey  dissolved  in  it : 

1  ounce  of  S.ilts  of  Prunella. 
6  drams  of  .Spf-macoti. 

2  ounces  of  Castile  Soap. 

Add  as  much  honey  as  will  make  a  ball  ;  and  if  the  urine 
be  bloody,  an  ounce  of  Japan  earth  must  be  added.  If  the 
fever  continue,  you  must  repeat  the  bleeding,  and  give 
emollient  clysters,  and  the  cooling,  opening  drink,  before 
recommended  for  Fevers,  till  it  abate.  These  methods  will 
often  prove  successful,  but  sometimes  the  disease  is  too  ob- 
stinate to  be  overcome  by  them,  and  the  urine  still  passes 
with  pain  and  difficulty.  Eecourse  must  then  be  had  to  the 
following  balls,  and  they  must  be  repeated  twice  a  day  till 
the  horse  stales  without  pain,  and  his  urine  becomes  clear. 
and  without  any  purulent  settlement : 

1  ounce  of  Venice  Turpentine. 

1  ounce  of  Castile  Soap. 
6  drams  of  Nitic. 

2  diams  of  Myrrh,  in  po%vder. 

Make  the  whole  into  a  ball  with  honey,  and  wash  it  down 
with  a  strong  decoction  of  marshmallows. 

These  are  the  best  methods  of  treatment  in  this  disorder, 
and  will  in  general  prove  successful.  Sometimes  indeed 
this  malady  is  too  strong  for  the  power  of  medicine,  and 
then  the  urine  continues  turbid,  and  daily  becomes  of  a 
deeper  color,  with  a  foetid  smell,  a  sure  sign  that  the  kidneys 
are  ulcerated  ;  which  generally  terminates  in  a  consumption, 
and  the  creature  becomes  absolutely  incurable. 

In  treating  of  the  Colic  I  have  recommended  a  method  for 
removing  the  Stranguary,  when  it  proceeds  from  wind,  or 
from  dung  pressing  upon  the  neck  of  the  bladder  ;  birt 
sometimes  it  proceeds  from  an  inflammation,  and  a  retention 
of  urine. 

Symptoms  of  an  Inflammation  op  the  Neck  of  tite 
Bladder. — When  a  horse  is  seized  with  a  Stranguary  from 
the  above  cause,  he  will  make   frequent  motions  to  stale, 


on,    HOHfeE    DOCTOB,  31 

standing  wide  and  straddling,  his  bladder  being  full  of  urine, 
and   his    flanks   distended  ;    he  will  be    uneasy,  cuii-tantly 
shifting  his  hind   feet,  and    often   giving    clicks  in  his  mo-^» 
tions  f  he  also  sometimes  hangs  his  head,  aj^d  then  raises 
it  suddenly. 

Cure. — First  bleed  largely,  and  then  give  the  following  : 

1  ounce  of  Spirits  of  Sweet  Nitre. 

2  ounces  of  Syrup  of  Marshmallows. 
1  ounce  of  Venice  Soap. 

Cut  the  soap  small,  dissolve  it  in  a  gill  of  hot  water,  put 
the  above  to  it,  and  give  it  to  the  horse.  Repeat  it  every 
eight  hours.  Also  dissolve  an  ounce  of  gum  arable  and  an 
ounce  of  nitre  in  a  gallon  of  water,  and  let  him  drink  plenti- 
fully of  it.  If  he  will  drink  it  of  his  own  accord,  it  is  best ; 
but  if  not,  horn  a  little  into  him,  for  it  will  greatly  tend  to 
remove  the  cause  of  the  disease,  and  consequently  to  termi- 
nate the  effects. 

There  is  a  disease  of  the  kidneys,  viz.  :  a  Diabetes,  or  pro- 
fuse staling,  which  produces  effects  directly  opposite.  This 
disorder  is  seldom  cured  in  old  horses,  as  their  fibres  are 
become  rigid,  and  unable  to  perform  their  office,  a  misfortune 
which  all  the  power  of  medicine  can  not  remove.  But  in 
young  horses  this  disease  is  often  cured,  and  the  following 
method  will  generally  be  attended  with  success  : 

CcRE  OP  A  Diabetes. — In  order  to  cure  this  threatening 
disorder,  great  care  must  be  taken  not  to  let  the  horse  drink 
too  much  water,  and  never  to  give  him  any  moist  food.  At- 
tention to  these  particulars  will  go  a  great  way  towards  a 
cure  :  and  instead  of  giving  him  common  water  to  drink, 
give  him  lime-water  ;  to  make  Avhich,  take  about  three 
pounds  of  lime,  unslacked,  put  it  into  a  clean  vessel,  and  for 
every  pound  of  lime  pour  six  quarts  of  water  into  it ;  let  it 
stand  three  days,  take  the  scum  ott"  the  top.  and  give  the 
horse  the  water  to  drink.  Be  careful  not  to  stir  the  lime  at 
the  bottom  of  the  vessel.  This  is  a  very  clear,  wholesome 
water,  and  very  good  for  many  disorders.  In  the  mean  time 
■the  following  medicine  should  be  given  : 

1  ounce  of  Peruvian  Bark. 

1  ounce  of  Japan  Earth,  in  powder. 

1  ounce  of  Irish  Slate,         do. 

Give  these  in  lime-water,  and  repeat  as  often  as  needful. 

Some  Farriers  give  strong  alum  possets  two  or  three  times 
a  day  ;  but  this  kind  of  treatment  cannot  be  proper,  for  the 
alum  takes  so  fast  hold  of  the  juices  of  the  stomach,  that  if 
the  hor.se  were  not  ill,  it  would  be  enough  to  make  him  so. 


W  ^   Thii 


THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER, 


The  Molten  Grease. 


his  is  so  common  a  disorder,  that  it  ought  to  be  "well  un- 
derstood ;  but,  alas  !  like  many  others,  it  is  otten  mistaken 
for  something  else.  This  disease  is  a  melting  down  of  the 
fat  of  the  horse's  body,  caused  by  violent  exercise  in  very 
hot  weather  ;  or  if  the  horse  be  full  of  flesh,  it  may  happen 
in  cold  weather.  Hard  riding,  or  sudden  colds,  will  bring 
on  this  disorder. 

Symptoms. — It  is  always  attended  with  a  fever,  heat,  rest- 
lessness, starting  and  trembling,  inward  sickness  and  short- 
ness of  breath.  Also  the  horse's  dung  is  extremely  greasy, 
and  he  often  falls  into  a  scouring.  His  blood,  when  told,  is 
cpvered  with  a  thick  scum  of  fat,  of  a  white  or  yellow  color, 
but  generally  the  latter.  The  congealed  part,  or  sediment 
iipfrears  like  a  mixture  of  size  and  grease,  and  is  so  extremely 
slippery  that  it  Avill  not  adhere  to  the  fingers  ;  and  the  small 
proportion  of  serum  is  also  slippei-yand  clammy.  The  horse 
soon  loses  his  flesh  and  fat,  the  latter  being  probably  dis- 
solved into  the  blood.  Such  as  have  sufficient  strength  to 
sustain  the  first  shock,  commonly  become  hidebound,  and 
their  legs  swell  greatly  ;  and  in  this  state  they  continue  till 
the  blood  and  juices  are  rectified  ;  and  if  that  is  not  done 
ett'ectually,  the  Farcy,  or  an  obstinate  Surfeit,  is  generally 
the  consequence,  which  can  not  be  removed  but  with  the 
utmost  difficulty. 

Cure.— In  the  first  place  bleed  pretty  plentifully,  and  repeat 
the  operation  two  or  three  days  succe.ssively  ;  but  take  care 
that  you  take  only  a  small  quantity  at  a  time  after  the  first 
bleeding,  as  otherwise  the  creature  would  be  rendered  too 
weak  to  support  himself,  and  his  blood  too  poor  to  be  easily 
recruited.  As  soon  as  he  has  been  bled  the  first  time,  let 
two  or  three  rowels  be  put  in,  and  the  emollient  clysters 
prescribed  for  Fevers  be  thrown  up  daily,  to  mitigate  the 
fever,  and  to  cleanse  the  intestines  from  the  greasy  matter. 
At  the  same  time  plenty  of  Avater-gruel  should  be  given,  and 
sometimes  a  small  quantity  of  water,  with  a  little  nitre  dis- 
solved in  it.  The  latter  will  be  of  great  service,  as  it  will 
prevent  the  blood  from  running  into  grumous  concretions, 
and  proving  the  source  of  innumerable  disorders,  if  not"^ 
causing  a  total  stagnation,  and  consequently  the  death  of  the 
animal. 

The  horse  must  be  treated  in  this  manner  till  the  fever  be 
entirely  gone,  and  he  shall  have  recovered  his  appetite  ; 
and  then  it  will  be  necessary  to  give  him  three  or  four 
purges,  a  week  distant  from  each  other,  which  will   make 


OR,    nORSE    DOCTOR,  33 

him  stale  and  perspire  plentifully,  and  at  the  same  time 
bring  down  the  swelling  of  his  legs.  The  following  is  well 
calculated  for  the  purpose  : 

6  drams  of  Socotrine  Aloes. 

4  ounces  of  Gum  Guaiacum,  in  powder. 

2  drams  of  Ginger. 

2  drams  of  Jalap. 

2  drams  of  Oil  of  Juniper.  jj^ 

To  be  mado  into  a  ball  with  syrup  of  buckthoHK  By  pur- 
suing this  method  the  horse  will  soon  be  recovered,  for 
this  purge  will  mend  his  appetite,  and  increase  his  flesh. 
If  it  be  too  weak,  add  a  dram  more  of  aloes.  It  will  bring 
down  his  swelled  legs,  and  carry  away  all  the  superfluous 
matter  that  clogs  the  blood.  AVhen  you  give  the  physic,. be 
careful  to  give  plenty  of  warm  water  all  the  time. 

A  Surfeit. 

Some  people  pronounce  every  ill-thriven  horse  surfeited, 
whether  he  is  so  or  not.  A  Surfeit  is  nothing  more  than  the 
etfects  of  an  ill  cured  disease,  and  therefore  what  is  called  a 
Surfeit  in  horses  is  very  different  to  the  disease  which  bears 
that  name  in  the  human  body  ;  the  latter  being  the  begin- 
ning of  a  disease,  and  the  former  the  remains  of  one. 

Symptoms. — The  horse's  coat  will  stare,  look  of  a  rusty 
color,  and  even  appear  dirty,  although  the  greatest  pains 
have  been  taken  to  keep  him  clean.  His  skin  will  be  cover- 
ed with  scales  and  dandruff,  which  will  appear  like  meal 
among  the  hair,  and  when  cleaned  otf  will  be  followed  by  a 
succession  of  the  same  matter,  occasioned  by  the  perspira- 
tion being  obstructed.  Some  horses  will  be  covered  with  a 
kind  of  scab,  sometimes  moist,  attended  Avith  heat  and  in- 
flammation, and  the  humor  so  very  sharp,  and  causing  so 
violent  an  itching,  that  the  creature  is  incessantly  rubbing 
himself,  and  by  that  means  making  himself  raw  in  different 
parts  of  his  body.  Some  horses  have  neither  scales,  dan- 
druff, nor  scab  ;  but  look  dull,  sluggish,  and  lazy.  Some  are 
hidebound,  and  others  afflicted  with  flying  pains  and  tempo- 
rary lameness.  In  short,  the  symptoms  are  very  various,  and 
almost  as  numerous  as  those  of  the  scurvy  itself. 

Causes. — The  causes  are  as  various  as  the  symptoms.  Some 
horses  are  surfeited  by  high  feeding  and  want  of  proper  ex- 
ercise ;  which  produce  a  bad  digestion,  and  generate  ill 
humors.  Some  are  surfeited  by  unwholesome  food  ;  some 
by  hard  riding  ;  some  by  drinking  cold  water  when  they  are 
hot ;  some  by  bad  or  improper  physic,  and  some  by  standing 
3 


34  THE    COMFLETE    rAHKIEn, 

In  stables  throiigh  which  the  rain  drops,  or  1)j  lying  wet 
But  as  many  also  get  surfeited  by  standing  Mhon  hot  at  the 
doors  of  public  houses,  such  bud  jiractices  should  be  guarded 
againsL 

I  Cl'j:e. — If  we  duly  consider  the  nature  of  Pui-feits,  their 
kiire  will  be  much  more  easily  jx-rlonned.  All  allow  that 
tbey  ari.s|^K)iu  a  bad  state  of  the  blood  ;  but  liow  is  this  to 
be  reme^^P?  By  bleeding  and  purging,  liut  this  must  be 
done  in  a^rry  gentle  manner,  lake  about  a  quart  of  blood, 
and  the  next  day  give  the  following  ball  : 

1  onncc  of  Socotrine  Aloes. 
1  drain  of  Calomel,  pp. 
^^.  2  drains  Oil  of  Aniseeds. 

^^%fld  as  much  lenitive  electuary  as  will  make  it  into  a  ball. 
fere  plenty  of  warm  water  to  work  it  off.  Rej»eat  both 
bleeding  and  j)liysic  in  eight  days  ;  and  when  the  last  dose 
is  wrought  otf.  give  him  si.x  ounces  of  the  cordial  balls  in  a 
little  warm  ale.  Also  give  a  spoonful  of  the  followiug  pow- 
ders every  day  in  a  mash  : 

4  onnces  of  Flonr  of  P.rimstoiie. 
4  ounces  of  Crocus  Metaloruin. 
4  ounces  of  Nitre,  in  powder. 

Mix  all  up  well  together.  By  persevering  in  the  above 
method  you  may  cure  the  most  inveterate  Surfeit,  and  if  any 
scabs  or  runnings  appear  in  the  skin,  rub  them  with  the 
following  : 

4  onnces  of  Rnlphnr  Tivnni- 

2  ounces  of  "White  Copperas. 

2  ounces  of  White  Hellebore,  in  powder. 

]\fix  these  powders  with  churn-milk,  rub  the  places  affected 
well,  and  the  grievance  will  soon  disappear.  Sometimes  a 
Surfeit  settles  in-  the  legs,  and  they  swell  much,  and  then 
break  out  and  run  very  much.  AVIien  this  is  the  case,  two 
taps  put  into  the  lower  belly  will  be  of  great  use.  Staling 
balls  should  be  given  every  third  day,  and  plenty  of  warm 
water  to  work  them  off  with.  Make  the  staling  balls  as 
follows  : 

1  omice  of  White  Resin. 
4   drams  of  Castile  Soap. 

2  dr.ims  of  Oil  of  Juniper. 
2  drams  of  Camphor. 

4   drams  of  Saltpetre. 

Bray  all  well  together  into  a  paste,  in  a  mortar,  and  form 
it  into  a  ball.  The  above  is  only  for  one  dose,  but  you  may 
make  as  many  as  you  think  proper  at  once,  and  keep  them 
for  use.     Give  then  at  niglU,  and  they  will  work  off  the  ne.vt 


OK,    nORSE    DOCTOR.  3g 

day.  These  balls  are  of  great  service  in  many  of  the  dis- 
orders of  horses,  and  are  some  of  the  best  staling  balls  yet 
found  out. 

By  following  the  foregoing  directions,  a  cure  will  generally 
be  performed.  Sometimes  in  this  disorder  little  knots  break 
out,  especially  upon  the  hind  parts  of  the  horse,  and  these 
knots  throw  out  a  little  matter.  When  this  is  tj|^ease,  you 
must  rub  them  with  strong  mercurial  ointmena^«)metimes 
these  little  tubes,  or  pustules,  have  living  inseCTB  in  them  : 
but  by  rubbing  them  as  I  have  just  directed  you,  they  will 
be  destroyed  and  the  cure  completed. 


The  Hidebound. 

This  disorder  is  too  often  brought  on  by  the  horse  being 
worked  too  hard,  and  badly  kept;  although  this  is  not 
always  the  case.  When  the  skin  of  a  horse  sticks  so  close 
to  his  ribs  that  it  appears  immovable,  the  horse  is  said  to  be 
hidebound.  But  this  is  not  properly  a  disease,  but  rather  a 
symptom,  being  often  caused  by  previous  disorders,  such  as 
fevers,  convulsions,  surfeits,  worms,  or  disorders  of  the  kid- 
neys or  lungs. 

Cure. — As  the  hidebound  may  proceed  from  various 
causes,  it  is  necessary  to  determine  the  cause,  before  such 
medicines  can  be  applied  as  will  remove  it.  If  it  owe  its 
origin  to  hard  labor  and  want  of  food,  rest  and  plenty  will 
soon  remove  it.  If  it  be  caused  by  worms,  worm  medicines 
must  be  applied ;  or  if  it  be  left  by  any  imperfectly-cured 
disorder,  the  following  drink  must  be  given  : 

2  ounces  of  Aniscerl'?,  in  powder. 

2  ounces  of  Clingor,  in  powrler. 

1  ounce  of  Grains  of  Paradise. 

2  ounces  of  Mustard. 

2  ounces  of  Turmeric.  ' 

All  to  be  powdered,  and  to  be  given  in  warm  ale,  fasting, 
and  to  fast  two  hours  after.  Bleeding,  tapping  and  physic  are 
also  necessary,  when  the  hidebound  is  left  by  any  disorder. 

The  Mange. 

'  This  disorder  is  more  shameful  than  dangerous,  for  you 
cannot  go  abroad  with  a  scabbed  horse  without  being  hissed 
at,  neither  is  it  proper  ;  for  this  disease  is  so  infectious  that 
every  horse  that  may  come  near  it  will  be  in  danger. 

The  Mange  is  too  well  known  to  need  a  long  descriptioii, 
though  some  have  been  mistaken,  and  have  taken  a  hot  itch- 
ing  eruption  for  it. 


36  THE    COMTLETE    FARRIER, 

Symptoms. — At  first  it  is  confined  to  the  skin,  but  by  long 
continuance  it  vitiates  and  pollutes  the  blood.  The  skin  is 
generally  thick,  and  full  of  wrinkles,  especially  about  the 
mane,  the  loins,  and  the  tail  ;  and  the  little  hair  remaining 
on  those  parts  stands  erect.  The  ears  and  eyebrows  are 
commonly  naked  ;  and  when  the  limbs  are  affected,  they 
have  the  same  appearance  :  but  at  the  same  time  the  horse  is 
not  raw.  nor  does  the  skin  peel  off  as  in  a  Surfeit. 

Causes. — The  Mange  is  generally  taken  by  infection,  for  it 
is  so  very  catching,  that  if  a  horse  he  put  into  a  stable  where 
one  in  the  Mange  has  stood,  before  it  be  thoroughly  cleansed, 
he  will  hardly  fail  being  infected.  But  though  infection  is 
the  general,  it  is  not  the  only  cause  of  the  Mange.  Low 
feeding,  and  running  long  abroad  in  cold,  pinching  weather, 
without  sufiBcient  provender,  will  cause  a  horse  to  have  the 
Mange. 

Cure. — When  the  horse  has  been  infected  by  another,  the 
disorder  is  not  so  obstinate  as  when  caused  by  starvation,  for 
the  blood  will  not  be  in  so  bad  a  state.  'When  you  think  a 
horse  has  got  the  Mange,  apply  the  following  where  you 
think  it  needful,  and  it  will  cure  it  at  the  beginning  without 
much  trouble  or  expense  : 

4   ounces  of  Sulphnr  Yivnm. 

4   ounces  of  "N\Ti!te  Copperas. 

4  cuncea  of  Wliite  Hellebore  Root,  in  powder. 

Mix  all  together  in  two  quarts  of  butter-milk,  and  rub  the 
places  well  By  this  method  you  can  cure  most  scabs  of 
short  duration ;  but  when  once  the  Mange  has  got  great 
hold,  it  will  require  sharper  treatment.  Make  the  following 
for  one  horse  : 

4   onnces  of  Sulphur  Yivnm. 

2   ounces  of  "UTiile  Hellebore  Root,  in  powder. 

2  ounces  of  Blue  Stone  Vitriol,  in  powder. 
\t  ounce  of  Verdiari^.  in  powder. 

4   ounces  of  Flanders  Oil  of  Bavs. 

3  gUls  of  Whale  Oil. 

Mix  all  well  together,  and  nib  the  horse  well  with  it  all 
over — in  the  sun,  if  in  summer,  but  before  a  fire  if  in  the  \vin- 
ter.  In  summer  you  must  al-o  turn  him  out  to  grass  aft^r 
rubbing,  but  in  winter  keep  him  warm  in  the  house.  You 
must  be  careful  to  wash  your  saddles  and  bridles,  cart  gears, 
stands,  mangers,  racks.  &c..  well  with  quick-lime  and  cham- 
ber-ley :  for  if  you  do  not  clean  all  that  the  horse  may  have 
used,  the  infection  will  remain.  You  vriW  find  the  above  a 
certain  cure,  if  managed  rightly,  for  I  have  cured  hundreds 
with  it,  and  I  do  not  remember'one  instance  of  its  failure. 


OR,    HOBSK   DOCTOR.  37 

At  the  same  time  give  freely  of  flour  of  sulphur  and  liver 
<>f  antimony  ;  and  if  you  have  a  number  of  horses  infected, 
be  sure  to  rub  them  all  together. 

Some  people  say  that  Avhen  a  horse  is  rubbed  for  the  scab 
he  will  infect  others,  but  I  am  of  opinion  that  he  will  not, 
neither  do  I  remember  an  instance  of  it. 

The  Farcy,  or  Farcin.. 

There  have  been  many  opinions  respecting  this  disease. 
Some  authors  reckon  five  kinds  ;  but  although  there  are  so 
many  different  branches,  yet  four  of  them  have  the  same 
root.  The  Water  Farcy  is  different  from  the  others,  and 
therefore  I  shall  put  it  afterAvards  by  itself  There  is  a 
scurvy  which  horses  are  subject  to,  and  which  is  often  called 
a  Farcy  ;  but  it  is  no  such  thing,  for  there  are  only  the  two 
kinds  of  Farcy,  which  I  shall  here  treat  upon.  Horses  are 
often  said  to  have  the  Farcy  when  they  have  not,  for  some- 
times when  people  do  not  know  the  proper  name  of  a  disor- 
der, they  call  it  the  Farcy.  The  true  Farcy  is  a  disorder  of 
the  blood-vessels,  and  generally  follows  the  course  of  the 
veins,  and  when  inveterate,  thickens  their  coats  and  integu- 
ments in  such  a  manner  that  they  become  like  so  many  cords. 

Symptoms. — At  the  beginning  of  this  disorder  a  few  small 
knobs  or  tumors,  resembling  grapes,  are  found  on  the  veins, 
which  are  so  painful  to  the  touch  that  the  creature  shows 
evident  marks  of  uneasiness  on  their  being  pressed  with  the 
finger.  They  are  at  first  very  hard  like  unripe  grapes,  but  in 
a  very  little  time  they  grow  soft,  and  break  and  discharge  a 
bloody  matter,  and  become  very  foul  and  untoward  ulcers. 
This  disease  appears  in  different  places  on  different  horses. 
Some  show  it  first  on  the  head  ;  some  on  the  external  jugu- 
lar vein  ;  some  on  the  plate  vein,  extending  from  thence 
downward,  on  the  inside  of  the  fore-leg,  towards  the  knee, 
or  upwards  towards  the  brisket.  In  some  it  first  appears 
about  the  pasterns,  on  the  sides  of  the  large  veins,  and  on 
the  insides  of  the  thighs,  extending  towards  the  groin  ;  in 
others  on  the  flanks,  spreading  by  degrees  towards  the  lower 
belly ;  and  some  horses  are  nearly  covered  all  over  the  body 
at  once. 

Cure. — When  the  Farcy  attacks  only  one  part  of  a  horse, 
and  that  where  the  blood-vessels  are  small,  it  may  be  easily 
cured  ;  but  when  the  plate  vein  is  affected  and  turns  corded, 
and  especially  when  the  crural  veins,  withinsi<le  the  thigh, 
are  in  that  condition,  the  cure  is  very  difficult,  and  the  crea- 
ture is  rarely  fit  for  any  thing  but  the  lowest  work  after  it- 


38  Tni:    COMPLETE    FAERIER, 

Therefore  those  who  depend  upon  some  particular  medicine, 
and  flatter  themselves  with  being  able  to  cure  every  species 
of  the  Farcy  with  it.  will  find  themselves  wretchedly  mis- 
taken ;  for  different  medicines  are  needful,  according  as  the 
disease  is  superficial  or  inveterate.  1  he  former  is  easily 
cured,  for  sometimes  moderate  exercise  is  sufficient ;  but  the 
latter  requires  knowledge  and  experience  ;  and  often  baffles 
the  most  skillful,  and  defies  the  whole  power  of  medicine. 

From  the  above  description  of  this  disease  it  appears  that 
it  is  of  the  inflammatory  kind,  and  that  the  blood-vessels  are 
affected.  Copious  bleedings  are  therefore  absolutely  neces- 
sary, especially  if  the  horse  be  fat  and  full  of  blood.  This 
evacuation  always  checks  the  progress  o*"  the  Farcy  in  its 
beginning,  but  its  good  efiects  soon  vani.sh,  especially  if  the 
horse  be  low  in  flesh.     After  bleeding,  mix  the  following  : 

4  ounces  of  Cream  of  Tartar. 

4  ounces  of  Liver  of  Antimony. 

4  ounces  of  Lenitive  Electuary. 

4  ounces  of  Castile  Soap. 

2  drams  of  Calomel,  8  drams  to  an  ounce. 

Make  these  into  balls,  and  give  two  ounces  a  day  for  some 
time.  While  giving  these  balls,  dissolve  a  little  nitre  in  the 
water  given  to  the  horse  to  drink.  These  medicines  will 
keep  his  body  open,  and  allay  the  inflammatory^heat  of  his 
blood,  which  is  the  principal  cause  of  the  disease*;  and  while 
they  are  given  inwardly  to  remove  the  cause,  let  the  tumors 
be  rubbed  twice  a  day  with  the  following  ointment : 

4  ounces  of  Elder  Ointment. 

4  ounces  of  Flanders  Oil  of  Bays. 

2  ounces  of  White  Vitriol. 

1  ounce  of  Red  Precipitate. 

2  oimcos  of  Su^rar  of  Lead. 

Beat  all  well  together  into  an  ointment,  and  keep  it  for  use. 
This  ointment  will  soon  disperse  the  tumors,  which  will  leave 
email  bald  spots  on  the  skin,  but  the  hair  Anil  grow  again  in 
time.  If  the  tumors  break,  and  run  a  thick,  well  digested 
matter,  it  is  a  sign  that  the  disease  "is  conquered,  and  the 
horse  will  soon  be  well  ;  but  it  will  be  necessary  to  give 
him  two  ounces  of  liver  of  antimony  every  day  tor  a  fort- 
night, and  two  ounces  every  other  day  for  a  fortnight  after, 
in  order  to  sweeten  his  blood,  and  disperse  the  small  bunches 
that  remain.  This  method  never  flxils  when  the  small  veins 
only  are  affected  ;  and  a  short  time  will  complete  the  cure. 

But  when  the  Farcy  affects  the  large  blood-vessels,  the 
cure  is  far  more  difficult.  Let  the  practitioner  always  attempt 
it  at  the' beginning  of  the  disease,  as  he  then  will  have  fewer 


OK,    HOUSE    DOCTOR,  39 

for  delay  renders  that  almost  im- 
possible to  be  overcome  which  at  first  might  have  been  easily 
conquered.  Therefore,  when  the  plate  or  crural  veins  are 
corded,  lose  no  time,  but  bleed  immediately  on  the  opposite 
side,  and  apply  to  the  distempered  vein  the  following  mix- 
ture, which  is  proper  to  dress  the  wounds  with,  but  uftt  be- 
fore they  are  broken  out : 

1  dram  of  Corrosive  Sublimate. 
1  ounce  of  Spirits  of  Salt. 

Powder  the  sublimate,  and  put  it  into  a  bottle,  and  put  the 
spirits  of  salt  upon  it  to  dissolve  it ;  then  add  two  ounces  of 
vinegar,  by  degrees.  This  is  a  very  proper  mixture  to  dress 
the  ulcers  with  ;  but  if  it  can  not  be  easily  got,  take 

6  ounces  of  Oil  of  Turpentine. 

3  ounces  of  Oil  of  Vitriol. 

Put  the  pot  in  water  with  the  turpentine  in  it,  and  pour 
ihe  oil  of  vitriol  in,  a  little  at  a  time,  and  keep  stirring  it  till 
it  shall  have  subsided.  If  the  Farcy  be  situated  in  the  loose 
and  fleshy  parts,  such  as  the  flanks  and  belly,  the  mixture 
should  consist  of  equal  parts  of  oil  of  turpentine  and  oil  of 
vitriol ;  but  when  the  seat  of  the  disease  is  in  the  parts  which 
are  less  fleshy,  the  proportions  above  are  best  calculated  to 
perform  a  cure.  The  medicine  must  be  used  in  the  follow- 
ing manner.  Rub  the  parts  affected  with  a  woolen  cloth, 
and  then  apply  some  of  the  compound  oil  to  every  bud  and 
tumor.  Continue  this  method  twice  a  day,  and  at  the  same 
time  give  cooling  physic  every  other  day.  The  balls  and 
nitrous  draughts  before  mentioned  will  answer  the  intention. 
By  this  treatment  the  tumors  will  be  digested,  and  the  cords 
dissolved  ;  but  it  will  be  necessary  to  give  liver  of  antimony 
to  complete  the  cure,  and  to  prevent  a  relapse  ;  and  also  to 
dress  the  sores,  when  well  digested,  with  a  mixture  of  bees' 
wax  and  oil,  which  will  heal  them,  and  smooth  the  skin. 

Sometimes  the  disease  will  not  yield  to  this  treatment, 
especially  when  situated  near  the  flanks  or  the  lower  belly. 
In  that  case  it  will  be  necessary  to  bathe  the  parts  mth  the 
compound  oil,  as  far  as  the  centre  of  the  belly  ;  and  at  the 
same  time  to  give  a  course  of  antimonial  medicines.  The 
following  composition  is  stronger  than  the  last,  and  on  that 
account  is  often  used  when  the  disease  is  obstinate  : 

4  ounces  of  Spirits  of  "Wine. 

2  ounces  of  Oil  of  Turpentine. 
4  ounces  of  Oil  of  Vitriol. 
2  ounces  of  Vinegar. 

Mix  all  together,  with  the  caution  before  directed.    When 


40  THE    COMPLETE    FARRIEB, 

this  method  fail?,  and  the  disorder  becomes  inveterate,  try 
the  following,  which  is  recommended  by  an  eminent  prac- 
titioner : 

Vi,  pint  of  Linseed  Oil. 
3  ounces  of  Oil  of  Turpcntina 

3  ounces  of  Oil  of  Peter. 
*                     2  ounces  of  Oil  of  Bays. 

y^  ounce  of  Oil  of  Origanum. 
Vi  ounce  of  Strong  Aquafortis. 

2  ounces  of  Barbadoes  Tar. 

2  drams  of  Tincture  of  Euphorbium. 

Mix  all  together  with  caution,  as  before  directed.  This 
medicine  must  be  rubbed  on  the  tumors  and  corded  veins 
once  in  two  or  three  days,  observing  that  if  the  mouths  of 
the  ulcers  are  choked  up,  or  so  thick  as  to  confine  the  mat- 
ter, to  open  a  passage  with  a  small  hot  iron  ;  and  also  to 
destroy  the  proud  flesh,  which  may  be  kept  down  by  touch- 
ing it  occasionally  with  oil  of  vitriol,  aquafortis  or  butter  of 
antimony. 

In  this  disorder,  these  are  the  best  ways  of  proceeding 
that  have  yet  been  discovered  ;  but  it  is  to  be  considered  as 
an  obstinate  one,  and  is  sometimes  very  bad  to  cure.  It  has 
hitherto  baffled  many  an  able  practitioner,  and  it  is  to  be 
feared  will  baffle  many  more  ;  for  when  the  blood  has  got 
into  such  a  corrupted  state,  it  bids  defiance  to  medicines. 

The  ingenious  Dr.  I^raekden  recommends  the  strong  mer- 
curial ointment  for  rubbing  the  cords  and  tumors  wilh  be- 
fore they  break ;  and  in  order  to  disperse  them  when  they 
are  broken,  to  dress  the  sores  with  a  mixture  compo.sed 
of  equal  parts  of  Venice  turpentine  and  quicksilver.  If  the 
mouth  becomes  sore  by  this  means,  a  gentle  purge  should 
be  given  to  prevent  salivation.  This  is  doubtless  a  very 
good  method,  and  if  care  be  taken,  will  often  prove  effectual. 
He  also  recommends  the  following  alterative  ball : 

1  ounce  of  Liver  of  Antimony. 
1  ounce  of  Bezoar  ^lineraL 

4  ounces  of  Cordial  Ball. 

Beat  all  well  together,  and  give  about  the  size  of  a  wal- 
nut every  day  for  some  time,  fasting,  and  to  fast  two  or  three 
hours  after. 

I  have  given  you  the  best  prescriptions  that  I  am  able  to 
give,  and  such  as  will  not  liiil  to  cure  if  properly  a))plied, 
if  the  horse  be  not  incurable.  I  have  been  more  partioilar 
in  treating  of  this  disease,  because  it  is  common  among 
horses,  and  very  <iften  managed  improperly  by  those  who 
pretend  to  cure  it.  Such,  therefore,  as  have  valuable  hor.ses 
in  this  disease,  would  do  well  to  be  careful  whom  they  em- 


OR,    nORSE    DOCTOR.  41 

ploy,  and  assiduous  in  observing  the  methods  they  make  use 
of  to  cure  it,  if  they  do  not  think  proper  to  attempt  a  cure 
themselves.  In  my  opinion  they  may  do  it  better  themselves 
by  following  these  directions,  than  by  trusting  to  farriers. 

The  Water  Parcy. 

This  disease  varies  very  much  from  the  last,  and  would 
more  properly  be  called  a  Dropsy  than  a  Farcy.  There  are 
two  kinds  of  this  disorder,  but  they  are  nearly  of  the  same 
nature.  One  of  them  is  produced  by  indisposition  termi- 
nating in  the  skin,  as  is  often  the  case  in  epidemical  colds  ; 
the  other  is  a  true  dropsy,  where  the  water  is  not  confined  to 
the  belly  and  limbs,  but  is  found  in  different  parts  of  the 
body,  and  a  great  number  of  soft  swellings  appear.  When 
you  press  the  finger  pretty  hard  upon  any  of  the  swelled 
parts,  or  under  the  horse's  belly,  or  on  any  part  of  the  body, 
you  may  take  it  for  granted  that  he  has  got  the  Dropsy,  or 
what  is  called  the  Water  Farcy. 

This  disorder  mostly  proceeds  from  foul  feeding,  or  a  con- 
tinuance of  very  wet  weather  in  the  end  of  summer. 

Cure.— Whenever  the  swellings  appear,  make  scai'ifica- 
tions,  that  is,  holes  through  the  skin.  This  may  be  done  by 
a  short  fleam  ;  and  if  you  have  not  one  short  enough,  put  a 
collar  made  of  a  piece  of  leather  on  it.  If  the  swelling  be 
under  the  belly,  strike  a  good  many  holes  in  at  a  time,  but 
be  careful  to  avoid  the  veins.  By  this  means  a  great  quan- 
tity of  water  will  run  out.  Taps  in  the  brisket  are  also  often 
of  great  service.  I  have  fleamed  horses  four  or  five  times 
before  I  could  get  the  swelling  to  subside.  When  the  water 
has  subsided,  the  blood  is  left  in  a  bad  state,  to  remedy 
which,  a  gentle  purge  should  be  given  two  or  three  times, 
eight  days  distance,  to  recover  the  crasis  of  the  blood,  and 
brace  up  the  relaxed  fibres  of  the  whole  body.  Lime  water 
is  very  proper,  with  a  little  nitre  in  it,  and  let  the  horse's 
food  be  warm  mashes  of  bran,  with  a  little  malt  in  it.  His 
keep  must  be  increased  by  degrees.  The  disorder  mostly 
happens  to  young  horses  that  have  not  been  used  to  high 
keep.  You  must  give  one  of  the  following  balls  every  day, 
omitting  the  time  when  the  physic  is  working  : 

2  ounces  of  Sqnills. 
1  ounce  of  Camphor. 
1  ounce  of  Castile  Soap. 
%  ounce  of  Turpentine. 
4  ouijces  of  Yellow  Kesin. 

Make  these  into  a  ball  with  honey,  and  give  one  ounce  at 
a  time.     These  balls  will  work  the  water  ofl"  by  urine.    When 


42  THE   COMPLETE    FARRLEU, 

the  horse  has  been  treated  in  this  manner  till  the  water  is 
evacuated,  and  he  begins  to  recover,  give  him  a  pint  of  the 
following  infusion  every  day  for  a  fortnight,  fasting,  and  let 
him  fust  one  hour  after  each  dose  : 

4  ounces  of  Gentian  Root. 
4  ounces  of  Black  Hellebore 
2  ounces  of  Jesuit's  Bark. 
4  ounces  of  Camomile  Flowers. 
1  Handful  of  Centaury. 

Boil  all  together  in  six  quarts  of  water,  for  ten  minutes, 
let  it  stand  till  cool,  and  then  strain  it  through  a  cloth. 
This  strengthening  drink,  will  brace  the  fibres,  cause  the 
fluids  to  circulate  quicker,  and  complete  the  cure. 

Founders. 

The  Chest  Founder  is  produced  by  violent  exercise  on  a 
full  stomach,  and  drinking  large  quantities  of  cold  branch 
water  ;  by  the  use  of  mouldy  bran.  corn,  or  oats,  or  by  eating 
large  quantities  of  green  food,  such  as  oats,  wheat,  peas,  &c  , 
while  performing  hard  labor.  The  seat  of  the  disease  is  in 
the  lungs  ;  the  heart  and  liver  are  also  considerably  en- 
larged, insomuch  that  there  is  not  room  for  them  to  perform 
their  office  with  ease.  The  liver,  lungs,  diaphragm,  and  sur- 
rounding parts,  are  all  covered  with  large  brown  spots,  and 
are  much  inflamed. 

Symptoms. — A  horse  that  is  chest  foundered,  will  straddle 
or  stake  with  his  fore  logs,  showing  an  unwillingness  to  bring 
his  feet  together ;  and  if  they  are  placed  near  each  other,  he 
will  not  permit  them  to  remain  so  for  a  minute.  Indeed,  they 
are  frequently  twelve  or  eighteen  inches  apart,  which  is 
caused  by  a  fullness  and  continual  uneasiness  about  the 
chest :  the  cavity  being  too  small  to  contain  the  lungs,  &c., 
in  their  enlarged  situation,  with  ease.  The  hind  legs  are  free 
from  the  palsied  appearance  of  those  before,  and  it  is  not 
diflicult  to  distinguish  it  from  a  common  founder,  as  it  is 
wanting  in  all  its  symptoms,  except  the  stiff"  and  numbed 
appearance  of  the  legs. 

Large  bleedings,  and  half  an  ounce  of  aloes  given  inter-; 
nally  in  a  ball,  have  sometimes  aflorded  momentary  relief. 
A  horse  laboring  under  this  disease,  is  worth  but  little  more 
than  his  board,  as  he  is  unable  to  bear  fatigue,  or  undergo 
severe  service. 

The  Common  Founder  is  caused  by  riding  the  horse  until 
much  heated  and  fatigued,  and  then  allowing  him  to  cool 
suddenly,  by  drinking  ti-eely  of  cold  w*ter,  or  standing  in  an 
exposed  situation,  or  in  a  cold  stable  without  covering  ;  or, 


OC,    HORSE    DOCTOR.  43 

without  nuddcn  coolinp;.  it  may  be  produced  by  too  bounti- 
ful fcedirtg,  and  his  swallowing  his  food  greedily,  while  very 
warm  and  hungry.  Under  such  unfavorable  circumstances, 
the  poor  animal,  after  resting,  instead  of  being  refreshed,  is 
stitf  and  sore  ;  his  rest,  food,  and  drink,  being  more  destruc- 
tive to  health  than  constant  action  and  abstinence.  On  the 
contrary,  had  he  been  allowed  to  cool  gradually,  and  fed 
sparingly,  he  ^vould  have  escajjed  injury. 

Cure. — Take  from  the  neck  vein  a  gallon  of  blood,  and 
give  as  a  drink,  in  a  quart  of  strong  sassafras  tea,  a  table- 
spoonful  of  saltpetre,  and  a  quarter  of  an  ounce  of  assa- 
foetida  ;  withholding  any  drink  for  six  hours  ;  at  the  end  of 
which,  should  he  not  be  better,  take  hulf  the  quantity  of 
blood,  repeat  the  drink,  offering  him  bran  or  oats  scalded 
with  sassafras  tea,  his  drink  being  mixed  with  tea.  His  feet 
should  be  well  cleaned,  and  filled  with  cow  dung. 

Other  Remedies.— As  soon  as  your  horse  is  foundered, 
bleed  him  in  the  neck  in  proportion  to  the  severity  of  the 
case.  In  extreme  cases,  bleed  him  as  long  as  he  can  stand. 
Then  draw  his  head  up,  and,  with  a  spoon,  lay  salt  back  on 
his  tongue,  till  he  has  swallowed  one  pint.  Let  him  drink 
only  moderately.  Anoint  his  feet  with  spirits  of  turpentine, 
and  he  will  soon  be  well.  The  founder  pervades  every  part 
of  the  system.  Bleeding  arrests  it  in  the  blood,  and  the  salt 
in  the  stomach  and  bowels.  Attend  to  it  immediately  after 
the  injury. 

TJie  Prairie  Farmer  recommends,  as  a  simple  and  certain 
cure,  to  bleed  the  horse  freely  in  the  neck,  as  soon  as  tba 
founder  is  discovered,  and  as  soon  as  practicable,  place  him 
in  water  about  up  to  his  belly — the  colder  the  better — and 
let  him  stand  two-thirds  of  a  day  ;  or,  if  badly  foundered, 
longer.  This  drives  the  founder  from  his  feet  and  legs,  and 
prevents  its  settling  there. 

PoU  Evil. 

This  disease  in  the  horse  proceeds  sometimes  from  striking 
the  poll  of  his  head  against  any  hard  substance,  or  from 
])rnising  the  part  with  the  halter,  which  causes  it  to  swell. 
First  abate  the  inflammation  by  bleeding,  physic,  and  the  ap- 
idication  of  cold  lotions  to  the  part.  This  will  sometimes 
disperse  the  swelling.  If  it  matters,  hasten  its  formation 
with  warm  fomentations,  poultices,  or  stimuh\ting  embroca- 
tions ;  then  open  the  swelling  so  that  the  whole  of  the  matter 
should  run  out,  and  continue  to  do  so.  This  is  done  by  a 
seton     Keep  it  clean  with  warm  water.    A  piece  of  the  skin 


44  THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER, 

of  old  bacon  rubbed  on  with  a  hot  iron,  is  a  good  applica- 
tion. Poll  Evil  has  been  cured  by  the  following  mixture 
(apparently  at  least  by  it  in  some  instances.)  1  ake  tinely 
pulverized  flint  glass  three  spoonsful,  put  into  urine,  one  pint 
in  a  bottle,  and  bury  it  in  the  ground  for  three  or  four  days  ; 
after  which  take  one  spoonful  or  more  of  the  mixture,  well 
.shaken  up,  and  put  that  much  into  each  ear,  once  a  day  fot 
three,  four  or  five  days. 

A  Sprain  in  the  Back. 

AH  kinds  of  Sprains  resemble  each  other.  They  are  a 
relaxation  of  the  tendinous  fibres,  from  the  muscular  parts* 
being  overstretched.-  Sprains  in  the  back  are  mostly  caused 
by  overweighting  the  horse,  or  by  his  losing  his  hind  feet  on 
the  side  of  a  hill  :  and  sometimes  by  putting  him  back  too 
quickly.  There  is  much  difference  between  a  Sprain  in  the 
back,  and  what  is  called  tifled  in  the  back.  Sometimes  a 
horse  catches  cold  in  his  loins  by  having  his  clothes  or  hia 
saddle  taken  off"  when  he  is  hot,  and  being  turned  out  of 
doors  ;  and  some  horses  are  subject  to  Rheumatics,  which 
make  them  lame  in  many  places,  and  are  generally  taken  for 
Sprains. 

To  cure  a  sprain  in  the  back,  first  bleed  pretty  freely,  and 
then  give  the  following  drink  : 

1  ounce  of  Tincture  of  Guaiacum. 
1  ounce  of  Balgam  CapivL 
1  ounce  of  Oil  of  Juniper. 

To  be  put  into  a  quart  of  strong  parsley-root  tea  ;  half  to 
be  given  at  night,  half  in  the  morning,  and  plenty  of  warm 
water  to  work  them  off; 

Also,  lay  a  sheep's  skin  with  the  flesh  side  to  his  loins  for 
six  or  eight  hours,  if  he  can  bear  it ;  and  then  turn  the  wool 
side  to  him,  and  let  it  stay  on  a  day  ;  and  when  you  take  it 
off,  sheet  him  well  for  fear  of  catching  cold.  Also,  make  a 
plaster  of  the  following  : 

2  ouncps  of  Oxj'croseum. 
2  ounces  of  Paracellis. 
2  ounces  of  Red  Dominion. 
2  ounces  of  Burgundy  Pitch. 

Melt  all  together,  and  lay  them  on  pretty  warm,  and  put  a 
little  wool,  clipped  short,  on  the  charge  while  hot,  and  then 
pour  on  a  little  cold  water  to  fasten  the  whole  together. 
These  are  the  best  methods  I  am  acquainted  with,  and  if 
properly  pursued,  and  the  mixtures  carefully  made,  there 
will  be  prompt  relief. 


OR,    nORSE    DOCTOR,  45 

A  Sprain  in  the  Shoulder. 

When  the  shoulder  of  a  horse  is  sprained,  he  does  not  put 
out  the  leg  like  the  other,  but  in  order  to  ease  it  sets  the 
Bound  foot  firmly  on  the  ground.  When  trotted  in  hand  he 
forms  a  kind  of  circle  with  his  lame  leg,  instead  of  putting  it 
forward,  and  when  he  stands  in  the  stable  that  leg  is  ad- 
vanced before  the  other. 

There  is  what  is  called  a  Shoulder-slip,  which  is  worse' 
than  a  Sprain.  When  this  happens,  the  horse  can  neither  lift 
his  leg  nor  put  it  forward.  You  may  know  this  by  the 
shoulder-blade  standing  higher  than  the  other  ;  but  to  dis- 
cern that,  you  must  make  him  stand  on  the  lame  leg,  for  the 
leg  he  stands  on  will  always  appear  a  little  higher  than  the 
other.  The  flesh  will  also  shortly  waste  away  from  the  shoul- 
der-blade, which  is  a  sure  sign  of  a  Shoulder-slip.  When 
this  accident  has  taken  place,  put  a  tap  in  the  lame  side  of 
the  animal's  breast,  and  blow  the  shoulder  full  of  wind  with 
a  pipe.  When  you  have  rinded  the  skin  to  put  the  tap  in, 
hold  the  skin  fast  to  the  pipe,  and  blow  the  part  that  you 
have  rinded  full,  and  let  some  one  draw  the  wind  up  into  the 
shoulder  witl^  the  edge  of  his  hand  as  far  as  the  top  of  the 
shoulder-blade,  and  then  put  in  the  tap.  or  rowel,  and  stop 
the  hole  up  well  with  tow  and  salve  Give  warm  water  for 
three  days,  and  then  open  the  place,  stir  the  tap  round,  and 
rub  the  shoulder  all  over  with  the  following  liniment : 

2  ounces  of  Spirits  of  Wine. 

2  ounces  of  Sweet  Oil. 

2  ounces  of  Spirits  of  Sal  Ammoniac. 

Shake  them  well  together,  rub  the  shoulder  well  with  the 
mi.\ture  every  third  day  for  some  time,  and  if  the  horse  do 
not  get  better  Avith  three  or  four  times  rubbing,  use  the 
following : 

2  ounces  of  Oil  of  Turpentine. 

1  ounce  of  Oil  of  Origanum. 

1  ounce  of  Oil  of  Bricks. 

Shake  these  up  together,  rub  all  on  at  a  time,  and  walk 
the  horse  about  a  little  afterwards.  When  near  the  sea, 
swimming  in  the  salt  water  is  very  proper,  and  I  have  known/ 
swimming  in  fresh  water  to  be  of  great  use,  particularly  iui 
clear  running  streams.  ' 

A  sprain  in  the  shoulder  point  requires  nearly  the  same 
treatmnnt  as  a  slip,  but  you  need  not  blow  it.  When  it  is 
attended  by  inflammation,  cooling  mixtures,  such  as  extract 
of  lead  and  wate.,  r^^st  be  used.  But  when  a  swelling  or 
aa  inflammation  takes  place,  it  is  mostly  caused  by  a  hurt. 


4 


^^  tie 


46  THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER, 

or  by  a  stroke  from  another  horse.  If  there  be  no  swelling, 
nib  the  shoulder  point  well  with  the  following  mixture  every 
third  day  : 

1  ounce  of  Oil  of  Peter. 

1  ounce  of  Oil  of  Amber. 

1  ounce  of  Oil  of  Spike. 

1  ounce  of  Oil  of  Bricks. 

Shake  these  well  together,  and  rub  the  shoulder  point 
evey  other  day.     If  the  horse  be  not  better,  take 

1  ounce  of  Oil  of  Turpentine. 
1  ounce  of  Oil  of  Orifranum. 
1  ounce  of  Oil  of  Swallows. 
1  ounce  of  Oil  of  Amber. 

Shake  these  together,  and  rub  the  shoulder  point  well  with 
them  every  third  day ;  and  if  the  horse  continue  lame,  re- 
course must  be  had  to  blistering. 

A  Sprain  in  the  Coffin  Joint. 

This  is  often  a  grievous  disease,  and  it  is  difficult  to  dis- 
cover where  the  lameness  is.  It  is  often  neglected  till  the 
joint  grows  stiff,  and  then  the  horse  pitches  upon  his  toe,  and 
is  afraid  of  bearing  any  weight  upon  his  foot.  If  you  press 
with  your  thumb  in  the  hole  in  the  horse's  heel,  and  upon 
the  cornet  of  his  foot,  you  will  soon  discover  whether  the 
hurt  is  in  the  Coffin  Joint. 

When  people  can  not  tell  the  cause  of  a  horse's  lameness, 

ey  often  say  that  he  has  got  sprained  in  the  coffin.  In  my 
pinion  it  is  better  not  to  doctor  a  horse  than  to  apply  stuff 
you  know  not  what.  If  people  would  have  a  little  pa- 
tience, most  lamenesses  would  soon  show  themselves,  espe- 
cially a  Sprain  in  the  Coftin  Joint,  for  it  would  raise  a  ring 
•round  the  corner  of  the  foot,  not  much  unlike  a  Ring-bone.^ 
but  closer  to  the  foot. 

The  first  tiling  to  be  done  is  to  draw  a  little  blood  from 
the  spurn  vein,  then  mix  an  equal  quantity  of  oil  of  bays,  or 
oil  of  origanum,  beat  well  together,  and  rub  well  all  round, 
just  above  the  hoof.  Apply  this  for  three  or  four  days 
together,  and  if  no  better,  you  must  have  recourse  to  re- 
peated blistering. 

A  Sprain  in  the  Back  Sinews. 

nd  of  Sprain  is  more  frequent  among  horses  than 
any  "other,  and  is  so  common  that  I  need  not  describe  it,  but 
only  inform  you  how  to  csire  it. 

If  it  be  recent,  bathe  the  leg  with  a  little  hot  vinegar,  or 
verjuice,  with  a  little  saltpetre  dissolved  in  it,  and  put  round 


''il^ 


OK,    HORSE    DOCTOR.  47 

it  a  proper  bandage  ;  or,  curriers'  shavings,  wetted  with  a 
composition  made  of  vinegar,  spirits  of  wine,  and  a  little 
tar,  and  laid  on  the  swelling  with  a  pretty  tight  bandage 
round  them,  will  be  of  great  use.  Take  it  off  once  a  day, 
and  soak  the  shavings  again,  or  get  fresh.  Injuries  of  this 
kind  must  not  be  expected  to  be  removed  immediately. 
Rest  is  absolutely  necessary,  and  turning  the  horse  out  to 
grass  would  be  of  great  service  as  soon  as  the  swellng  dis- 
appears, but  not  befoi'e.  If  these  methods  fail,  the  next 
thing  is  to  blister  ;  for  I  have  known  blistering  succeed  when 
all  the  former  have  failed.  The  last  thing  to  have  recourse 
to,  is  firing  ;  and  this  must  be  done  carefully,  and  by  some 
experienced  person. 

Sprains  of  the  Knees  and  Pasterns. 

The  knees  are  liable  to  many  misfortunes  besides  sprains. 
The  Speedy  Cut  is  done  by  striking  one  foot  against  the  other 
leg.  just  brdow  the  knee,  and  is  frequently  done  by  a  horse 
that  trots  high.  Sometimes  it  swells  very  much,  and  is  taken 
for  a  sprain.  Sometimes  horses  get  kicked  by  others,  or 
meet  with  some  other  accident  which  causes  a  swelled  knee, 
which  is  sometimes  bad  to  remove.  A  poultice,  made  as 
follows,  and  carefully  applied  to  the  part  injured,  will  have 
a  great  tendency  to  remove  the  swelling  : 

Take  4   ounces  of  Tar. 

4    ounces  of  Spirits  of  Wine. 

3  ounces  of  Hogs'  Lard- 
Melt  these  together  over  a  slow  fire,  and  be  careful  not  to 
set  fire  to  them,  and  put  in  as  much  Imseed-meal  as  will  make 
them  of  a  proper  consistence.  This  is  a  very  good  poultice 
for  many  other  kinds  of  swellings,  and  although  but  little 
known  hitherto,  I  hope  that  it  will  be  found  of  great  service. 
If  any  substance  be  left  which  will  not  give  way  to  this 
method,  you  must  lay  on  a  little  blistering  ointment. 

Lameness  in  the  Stifle. 

The  Stifle  is  the  tenderest  part  of  a  horse,  except  the  eye. 
How  many  horses  have  lost  their  lives  by  misfortunes  in  this 
part,  and  how  many  have  been  left  lame  by  not  being  pro- 
perly cured !  A  horse  that  is  lame  in  the  stifle  gea^lly 
treads  on  his  toe.  and  can  not  set  his  heel  to  the  pHtid 
without  great  pain  and  difficulty.  When  you  find  this  is 
the  case,  bathe  the  part  well  with  warm  vinegar  ;  and  if  a 
puny  swelling  appear,  foment  it  well  with  a  woolen  cloth 
wrung  out  of  hot  vinegar,  wormwood  and  rosemary,  having 


i 


9 


48  THE    COMPLETE    FAIlRrER, 

added  half  a  pint  of  spirits  of  wino  to  a  quart  of  the  decoc- 
tion. Let  this  operation  )3e  continued  till  the  swelling  is 
nearly  gone. 

Owners  of  horses  should  watch  closely  for  this  lameness. 
They  cannot  be  too  careful  of  the  feet  of  their  animals.  You 
should  examine  the  feet  of  your  horses  frequently,  and  with 
much  minuteness. 

When  a  horse  has  got  a  stroke  and  cut  by  the  heel  of  his 
shoe,  great  care  must  be  taken  to  keep  out  the  cold  air,  and 
to  keep  him  from  drinking  cold  water,  especially  in  winter 
time  ;  for  if  the  horse  take  cold,  and  an  inflammation  come 
on,  there  is  reason  to  fear  that  death  Avill  follow.  When 
you  perceive  that  a  horse  has  got  a  stroke  and  is  cut  through 
the  skin,  bathe  it  well  with  the  following  mixture  : 

2   ounces  of  Spirits  of  "Wino. 

1   ounce  of  Spirits  of  Sal  Aiuiaoniac. 

1   ounce  of  Oil  of  Amber. 

Shake  all  well  together,  bathe  the  place  well  with  it,  and 
lay  on  a  diachylon  plaster  with  gum,  in  order  to  keep  out 
the  cold.  If  the  horse  grow  very  lame,  and  the  place  swell 
much,  foment  with  the  following  : 

Take  a  handful  each  of  Wormwood, 

Elder  Leaves,         Camomile  Flowers, 
Juuiper  Berries,     Marshinallow  Leaves. 
Boil  in  2  gallons  of  Chamber-ley. 

If  the  above  can  not  all  be  got,  take  double  the  quantity 
of  juniper  berries  and  camomile  flowers,  and  foment  for 
some  time,  as  before  directed  ;  and  when  you  leave  ott"  fo- 
menting, rub  with  the  above  mixture.  Be  careful  to  wrap 
the  part  up  Avarm,  and  as  soon  as  it  comes  to  matter,  dress  it 
with  basilicon  ointment.  If  any  brown  lee  appear,  syringe 
tincture  of  Benjamin,  or  balm  drops,  into  the  wound.  When 
a  callous  substance,  or  proud  flesh  appears,  eat  it  off  with 
red  precipitate.  These  are  the  best  ways  of  curing  a  horse 
that  has  got  lamed  iu  the  stifle. 

Lameness  in  the  Cup-Bone,  or  Whirlebone. 

A  lameness  in  this  part  of  the  hip  is  discovc/ed  by  the 
horse's  dragging  his  leg  after  him,  and  dropping  backwards 
on  Ms  heel  when  he  trots.  If  the  muscles  of  the  hips  only 
are  injured,  the  lameness  may  be  soon  cured  ;  but  if  the  lig- 
aments of  the  cup  are  affected,  or  relaxed,  the  cure  is  often 
very  tedious  ;  and  when  the  cup  is  full  of  glueish  liquor,  the 
cure  is  doubtful.  I  have  known  the  ligament  which  holds 
the  hip  bone  in  the  cup  to  be  broken,  and  then  the  hip  bone 


OR,    nORSE    DOCTOK,  49 

lias  come  loose  ;  but  this  seldom  happens,  and  when  it  does, 
nothing  can 'be  done  to  relieve  it.  When  a  horse  is  lame  in 
the  cup-bone,  rub  him  well  with  the  following  mixture  : 

1   ounce  of  Oil  of  Amber. 
1   ounce  of  Oil  of  Bricks. 
%   ounce  of  Oil  of  Origanum. 

1  ounce  of  Oil  of  Turpentine. 

Shake  these  well  up,  rub  one  half  on  the  cup,  and  the 
other  half  the  third  day.  I  hare  known  this  mixture  remove 
the  complaint  when  of  long  standing  ;  but  if  it  fail,  you  must 
try  what  blistering  will  do.  The  last  thing  to  be  tried  is 
firing.  I  have  fired  horses  that  have  been  lame  above  a  year, 
and  cured  them  by  it. 

Jt  is  very  easy  to  fire  a  horse  in  this  part.  Take  the  iron 
and  make  a  circle,  eight  inches  in  diameter,  like  a  cart-wheel, 
with  scores  about  an  inch  asunder.  Cut  nearly  through  the 
skin  ;  and  if  you  do  cut  through  in  some  places,  it  will  be  no 
worse.     Then  lay  on  the  following  charge  : 

2  ounces  of  Oxycroseum. 
2  ounces  of  Paracellis. 

2  ounces  of  Ked  Dominion. 
2  ounces  of  Burgundy  Pitch. 

Melt  these  all  together,  lay  them  on  pretty  hot,  lay  a  little 
wool,  clipped  short,  on  before  it  cools,  and  then  a  little  water 
on  to  fasten  all  together. 

Sprains  in  the  Fetlock,  or  anywhere  in  tbe  limbs,  may  be 
treated  in  the  same  manner,  and  if  the  oils  will  not  remove 
the  substances,  blisters  will  5  therefore  I  shall  give  you  a 
recipe  for  a  blister  which  is  not  only  suitable  for  those  com- 
plaints, but  for  others  where  a  blister  is  wanted. 

Take  %  ounce  of  Quicksilver. 

\*i  ounce  of  Venice  Turpentine. 
2  ounces  of  Flanders  Oil  of  Bays. 
\^  ounce  of  (lum  Euphorbinm. 

1  ounce  of  Spanish  Flies. 

2  drams  of  Oil  of  Origanum. 

Rub  the  Venice  turpentine  and  quicksilver  well  in  a  mor- 
tar for  some  time,  and  then  put  in  the  oil  of  bays  and  rub  for 
some  time  longer,  till  the  quicksilver  is  quite  killed.  Powder, 
the  gum  and  flics  well,  and  mix  them  all  together.  When  you 
lay  the  blister  on,  rub  it  well  against  the  hair  to  get  it  to  the 
bottom ;  lay  it  on  with  a  broad  pointed  knife,  and  cover  it 
with  a  cloth,  or  the  horse  will  get  his  mouth  to  it.  This  blis- 
ter will  answer  any  purpose  you  want  a  blister  for,  but  you 
must  observe  tliat  there  must  be  fifteen  days  between  the 
times  of  laying  it  on. 

4. 


50  THE    COMPLETE    FAURIER, 

The  Bone-Spavin. 

Although  this  is  a  common  disorder  among  horses,  ^-ot  it 
is  little  understood  by  either  breeders  or  farriers.  Thb  Lone- 
spavin  is  a  bony  excrescence,  or  hard  swelling,  on  the  inside 
of  the  hock  of  a  horse's  leg,  and  sometimes  owes  its  origin 
to  kicks  and  blows,  and  sometimes  to  natural  causes  ;  but  in 
the  former  case  it  is  much  more  easily  cured  than  in  the  lat- 
ter ;  and  those  that  grow  spontaneously  on  colts,  or  young 
horses,  are  not  so  bad  as  those  that  appear  in  horses  that 
have  arrived  at  their  full  strength  and  maturity.  In  old 
horses  they  are  generally  incurable. 

Sometimes  the  horse  is  very  lame  when  the  Spavin  is  first 
coming  out,  and  when  it  has  come  out  is  better  for  some  time, 
and  then  grows  lamer  again  as  the  bone  hardens.  I  would 
advise  you  to  apply  a  blister  as  soon  as  you  have  any  suspi- 
cion that  a  horse  is  lik&ly  to  put  out  a  spavin,  and  to  con- 
tinue blistering,  every  fortnight,  for  some  time,  by  which 
means  you  may  stop  a  Spavin  in  a  young  horse. 

Cure.— Mild  medicines  should  be  used  if  the  horse  is 
young,  as  they  will  in  a  short  time  wear  the  tumor  down  by 
degrees,  which  is  much  better  than  trying  to  remove  it  at 
once  by  severer  methods,  which  often  have  a  very  bad  ef- 
fect, and  produce  worse  consequences  than  those  they  were 
intended  to  remove.  But  in  full-grown  horses  other  treat- 
ment is  neeesswy.  The  following  ointment  is  probably  the 
best  that  can  be  used  : 

2  ounces  of  CantharidcB. 

4  ounces  of  IVIerciirial  Ointment. 

3  ounces  of  Tincture  of  Iodine. 

4  ounces  of  Turpentine. 

3  drams  of  Corrosive  .Sublimate. 
Mix  with  2  pounds  of  Lard. 

Cut  off  the  hair  from  the  part  affected,  and  grease  tho- 
roughly with  the  ointment  thus  made,  rubbing  it  in  well  with 
the  naked  hand.  Let  it  remain  two  days,  then  grease  the 
part  Avith  lard.  In  two  days  more  wash  it  off  with  soap  and 
water,  and  then  apply  the  ointment  again.  Continue  this 
till  a  cure  is  effected.  By  these  means  Bone-spavin  maj^ 
often  be  cured  ;  but  Avhen  they  fail,  recoiirse  must  be  had  lo 
firing. 

Before  you  fire  a  horse  for  the  Bone-spavin,  be  careful  to 
take  the  vein  out  of  the  way.  for  it  generally  lies  over  the 
Spavin,  and  you  can  not  fire  deep  enough  to  come  at  the  cal- 
lous substance  without  its  removal.  In  order  to  destroy  the, 
vein,  cut  a  nick  through  the  skin  upon  it,  just  below  the 
Spavin,  and  another  just  above  it,  and  put  a  crooked  needle 


OR,    HORSE    DOCTOR  51 

under  the  vein,  and  tie  both  ends  :  then  cut  the  vein  across 
between  the  tyings,  both  above  and  below,  and  you  may 
either  draw  the  i)iece  of  the  vein  out  or  leave  it  in.  Let 
the  iron  you  fire  with  be  pretty  sharp  ;  cut  four  or  five  nicks 
upon  the  bone,  and  let  the  iron  take  hold  of  the  superfluous 
bone,  in  order  that  it  may  waste  away  by  mattering  ;  and 
when  you  have  done,  lay  on  some  white  pitch,  pretty  hot, 
and  put  a  cloth  round  it  to  keep  it  on.  In  three  days  open 
the  place  and  dress  it  with  yellow  basilicon. 

The  Blood-Spavin,  or  Bog-Spavin. 

Many  farriers  and  horse-dealers  divide  this  disease  into 
two  heads,  and  give  them  diflerent  names  ;  but  to  my  certain 
knowledge  they  are  both  one,  for  I  have  proved  it  in  many 
ways.  A  Blood-spavin  does  not  come  by  breeding  from 
spavined  mares,  nor  by  being  got  by  spavined  horses,  as  the 
Bone-spavin  does  5  but  you  may  safely  breed  out  of  a  Blood- 
spavined  mare,  or  have  the  foals  got  by  a  Blood-spavined 
horse.  In  my  opinion  Blood-spavins  are  generally  brought 
on  either  by  Sprains,  or  hard  labor  when  the  horbe  is  young, 
and  sometimes  when  he  is  full-grown. 

The  Blood-spavin,  or  Bog-spavin,  is  a.  dilation  of  the  vein 
that  runs  along  the  inside  of  the  hock,  and  forms  a  small 
soft  swelling  in  the  hollow  part,  which  in  time  renders  the 
creature  lame,  but  seldom  till  the  gelatinous  matter  becomes 
ropy,  like  melted  glue  in  a  bag,  and  is  situate  on  the  inside 
of  the  hough.  Sometimes  it  goes  through  the  back  part  of 
the  joint,  and  then  it  Is  called  a  thorough-pin. 

Curb. — Soon  as  you  discover  the  vein  puffed  up,  or  form- 
ing a  bag,  lay  on  some  blistering  ointment,  and  in  four  daya 
after  bathe  the  swelling  Avell  with  hot  vinegar,  with  a  little 
saltpetre  dissolved  in  it.  Also  put  a  bandage;  round  it  ta 
disperse  the  swelling  as  much  as  you  can.  If  this  method 
do  not  succeed,  you  must  make  two  incisions  in  the  skin 
lengthwise,  as  the  vein  runs,  one  just  above,  and  the  other 
just  below  the  joint,  and  lay  the  vein  bare  :  then  put  the 
end  of  a  buck's  horn  luider  it.  raise  it  up.  and  fasten  it  in  both 
places  with  waxed  thread  :  then  cut  the  vein  in  two  at  both 
places,  within  the  tyings,  and  if  you  think  proper,  draw  the 
vein  out.  This  method  of  proceeding  will  cure  most  Bog- 
spavins  at  the  beginning.  The  Blood-spavin  may  also  be 
cured  by  applying  the  same  ointment  used  in  Bone-spavin, 
only  it  should  be  applied  once  in  six  days  instead  of  once  in 
four.  This  spavin  ointment  is  very  powerful,  and  when 
properly  used  is  the  best  ever  invented. 


52.  THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER, 

A  Corb. 

This  is  a  soft  swelling  that  rises  out  of  the  joint  on  the 
back  part  of  the  hind-leg.  just  belo-w  the  hock,  and  mostly 
lames  the  horse,  besides  being  unpleasant  to  the  eye.  To 
cure  it,  strike  a  few  holes  into  it  with  a  pricker,  made  so  as 
just  to  go  through  the  skin,  then  rub  well  with  oil  of  origa- 
num, and  blister  as  often  as  n.t.'edful.  If  this  will  not  answer, 
use  the  Spavin  ointment  once  in  six  days. 

A  Ring  Bone. 

This  is  so  well  known  that  I  need  not  describe  it.  but  only 
point  out  the  remedy  ;  yet  I  must  observe  that  a  Sprain  in 
the  Coffin  is  sometimes  taken  for  a  King-bone,  when  it  causes 
a  rim  to  rise  just  above  the  foot,  liing-bones  come  out  from 
the  pastern,  between  the  fetlock  and  the  foot  ;  but  if  the  pas- 
tern is  long,  they  are  nearer  the  foot.  Ihey  wi';l  generally 
yield  to  the  same  method  of  cure  as  a  Corb.  especially  if  just 
coming  out.  but  if  not.  use  the  Spavin  ointment  in  same  man- 
ner as  in  Bone-spavin,  only  do  net  apply  it  so  often.  Once 
in  six  days  is  often  enough. 

Mallenders  and  Sallenders. 

The  first  is  on  the  fore-leg,  at  the  bend  of  the  knee,  and 
the  last  on  the  hind-leg,  at  the  bend  of  the  hough.  They 
crack  and  throw  out  a  thin  brown  matter,  and  sometimes,  a 
hard  scurf  or  scab,  which  prevents  the  horse  from  bending 
the  limbs  which  are  aflected  as  he  should  do. 

Cure. — They  both  proceed  from  the  same  cause,  and  con- 
Bequently  require  the  same  treatment ;  which  consists  in 
washing  the  parts  with  old  chamber-ley,  or  a  warm  lather 
of  soap-suds,  and  afterwards  applying  strong  mercurial  oint- 
ment, spread  on  tow,  to  the  cracks,  once  a  day  till  the  scabs 
fall  off,  when  the  cure  will  be  completed  ;  and  then  it  will 
be  necessary  to  give  him  a  dose  or  two  of  physic.  If  the 
disorder  will  not  yield  to  the  mercurial  ointment,  make  a 
strong  mixture  of  vitriol  water,  and  wash  the  cracks  with  it,~ 
and  it  will  dry  them  up,  and  cause  the  scabs  to  fall  o&\ 

The  Strangles. 

Most  horses  have  this  disorder  while  young,  but  at  seven 
years  old  they  are  out  of  danger.  There  are  two  kinds  of 
this  disorder.  The  common  kind  is  a  swelling  under  or  be- 
tween the  jaw-bones.  The  other,  which  is  called  the  bas- 
tard kind,  is  much  the  worst.    Sometimes  swellings  appear 


OR,    nORSE    DOCTOR.  53 

on  the  buttocks,  break,  and  discharge  matter  for  a  few  days> 
and  then  dry  np.  after  which  others  appear  in  a  fresh  place 
in  the  same  manner.  I  have  known  horses  that  have  had 
tliis  complaint  eight  or  ten  weelvs.  The  common  kind  be- 
gins with  a  swelling  between  the  jaw-bones,  which  some- 
times extends  to  the  mnscles  of  the  tongne,  and  is  often 
attended  with  so  much  heat,  pain  and  inflammation,  that  be- 
fore the  matter  is  formed  the  creature  swallows  with  the 
utmost  difficulty. 

Symptoms. — The  Strangles  is  attended  with  great  heat  and 
fever,  a  painful  cjugh,  and  great  inclination  to  drink,  with- 
out being  able.  Some  horses  lose  their  appetites  entirel}', 
and  others  eat  but  very  little,  occasioned  by  the  pain  re- 
sulting from  the  motion  of  the  jaws  in  chewing  and  swaA- 
lowing.  When  the  horse  runs  much  at  the  nose,  it  is  not  a 
good  sign.  Although  this  disease  is  very  troublesome,  it  is 
not  dangerous,  except  when  the  swelling  turns  upwards 
against  the  wind-pipe  and  gullet,  and  then  there  is  danger 
of  sutlbcation  if  it  do  not  break  soon. 

Cdke. — The  Strangles  is  not  properly  a  disease,  but  a  dis- 
charge common  to  young  horses,  and  therefore  it  follows  that 
the  discharge  must  be  promoted  in  order  to  throw  oft"  the 
offensive  matter.  The  best  method  of  doing  this  is  to  keep 
the  swelling  always  soft  by  soaking  it  with  softening  oint- 
ment, such  as  marshmallows,  or  elder  ointment.  I  have 
known  oil  of  swallows,  with  a  little  spirit  of  hartshorn  in  it, 
to  be  very  useful  in  bringing  the  swelling  forward  and  caus- 
ing it  to  break.  A  cloth  in  the  form  of  a  cap.  put  on  the 
horse's  head,  and  stuffed  vnth  wool  to  keep  the  swelling 
warm,  -vnll  be  of  great  service.  Some  people  apply  a  poul- 
tice, but  there  is  no  need  of  this  if  the  above  be  properly 
used.  Give  plenty  of  warm  water,  with  a  little  meal  on  it ; 
for  in  this  disorder  a  horse  can  not  swallow  dry  food  enough 
for  its  support.  AVhen  they  gather  and  break,  see  that  the 
matter  runs  freely  ;  if  not.  open  them  Avith  the  point  of  a 
sharp  knife.    It  will  be  five  or  six  days  before  they  break. 

WTien  the  swelling  is  broken,  and  the  oritice  of  a  proper 
size  to  discharge  the  matter,  dress  with  the  following  oint- 
ment spread  on  tow  : 

Take     1  pound  of  Yellow  Hosin. 

1  poun<l  of  Bursimdy  Pitch, 
^  pound  of  Hnni'y. 
h^i  pound  of  Common  Turpentine. 
11/^  pounds  of  Hog's  Lard. 
4  ounces  of  Beeswax. 
1  ounce  of  Verdjgiis,  finely  powdered. 

Melt  th-e  ingredients  together,  but  do  not  put  the  Yerdi- 


54  THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER, 

gris  in  till  nearly  cold,  and  keep  stirring  all  the  time  till 
cold,  or  the  Verdigris  will  fall  to  the  bottom.  This  is  one 
of  the  best  salves  for  wounds  that  has  been  found  out,  and 
especially  for  old  ones. 

The  Bastard  Strangles  requires  the  same  Mnd  of  treatment, 
but  it  is  proper  to  give  the  horse  some  calomel  physic  also. 

The  Glanders. 

This  disease  has  baiSed  all  who  have  tried  to  cure  it,  and 
probably  will  do  so  to  the  end  of  time  ;  so  I  advise  those 
who  may  have  a  glandered  horse,  to  put  him  off  as  soon  as 
they  shall  be  certain  that  he  is  so.  People  often  mistake 
ot^er  disorders  for  the  Glanders.  A  violent  cold  sometimes 
causes  a  running  at  the  nostrils,  and  kernels  under  the  jaws, 
when  the  horse  is  free  from  the  Glanders.  Sometimes  a  run- 
ning at  the  nostrils  is  caused  by  laying  too  much  weight  on 
a  horse.     I  do  not  pretend  to  cure  Glanders. 

Symptoms. — The  matter  discharged  from  the  nostrils  of  a 
glandered  hoi'se  is  either  white,  yellow,  greenish,  or  streaked 
or  tinged  with  blood.  When  the  disease  has  been  of  long 
standing,  and  the  bones  are  fouled,  the  matter  turns  blackisn 
and  becomes  very  bad.  The  Glanders  is  always  attended 
with  a  swelling  of  the  kernels,  or  glands  under  the  jaws,  but 
in  every  other  respect  the  horse  is  generally  healthy  and 
sound,  till  the  disorder  has  continued  some  time,  and  the 
morbid  matter  has  affected  other  parts.  If  a  thin,  limpid 
fluid  be  first  discharged,  and  afterwards  a  whitish  matter — 
if  the  gland  under  the  jaw  do  not  continue  to  swell,  and 
the  disorder  shall  have  been  recently  contracted,  a  speedy 
cure  may  be  effected  by  applying  the  following  • 

1  ounce  of  Roach  Alum. 

1  ounce  of  AVHiite  Vitriol. 

Powder  these  well,  put  them  into  a  pint  of  warm  vinegar, 
and  syringe  about  an  ounce  up  his  nostrils  every  day.  This 
may  do  good  if  the  disorder  be  newly  caught 

Swellings  and  Imposthntoes. 

When  a  swelling  is  in  its  first  stage,  bathe  it  well  with 
verjuice  or  vinegar,  with  a  little  saltpetre  dissolved  in  it ; 
and  if  the  swell  still  continue,  mix 

1  ounce  of  Extract  of  Lead. 

1  ounce  of  Spirits  of  Wine. 

1  ounce  of  S)>irit.s  of  Sal  Ammoniac. 

3  ounces  of  Vinegar. 

Rub  the  swelling  well  with  it ;  but  if  it  be  very  hot,  add 


OR,    HORSE    DOCTOR.  55 

four  ounces  of  water  inatead  of  the  vinegar.  Should  the 
swelling  corae  forward  and  form  matter,  which  you  may  feel 
by  the  pressure  of  your  Onger,  let  the  matter  out,  but  be 
pure  to  make  the  incision  large  enougli  that  you  may  dress  it 
with  ease.  When  you  have  laid  the  part  open,  dress  it  with 
the  green  salve  before  recommended,  on  tow,  for  you  can  not 
have  a  more  proper  salve.  The  next  time  you  dress  it,  that 
is  the  day  after,  make  a  wash  of  the  following : 

2  ounces  of  Spirits  of  "Wine. 

2  ounces  of  Spirits  of  Rosemary. 

1  ounce  of  Iloach  Alum. 

2  ounces  of  Water. 

Mix  these  all  together,  and  they  will  answer  the  purpose 
extremely  well.  When  you  have  washed  the  wound  with 
the  above  mixture,  lay  on  a  little  green  salve,  on  tow,  and' 
bind  it  on  if  you  can,  but  if  you  can  not,  lay  on  a  plaster 
to  keep  it  on. 

Some  swellings,  such  as  have  been  caused  by  bad  barfen. 
on  the  shoulders,  or  blows  on  the  legs,  will  not  submit  to 
weak  mLxtures,  nor  come  to  matter  in  a  reasonable  time. 
Mix  the  following,  and  it  will  either  take  them  off  or  bring 
them  to  matter  : 

2  ounces  of  Oil  of  Spike. 
1  ounce  of  Oil  of  Amber. 
\ii  ounce  of  Oil  of  Origanum. 
1  ounce  of  Oil  of  Turpentine. 

Mix  these  well  together,  and  rub  the  swelling  well  with 
them  every  other  day.  I  have  known  this  remove  obstinate 
swellings. 

Wounds. 

Wounds  are  caused  by  accidents  of  various  kinds.  When 
the  skin  is  much  torn  from  the  flesh,  if  you  are  at  hand  while 
the  wound  is  quite  fresh,  take  a  square-pointed  needle  and  a 
waxed  thread,  and  sew  it  up.  Mind  to  put  tJie  needle  in 
straight,  one  side  over  against  the  other  ;  draw  the  skin 
tight,  and  tie  a  knot  ;  cut  off"  the  thi-ead,  and  then  take  ano- 
ther stitch  about  an  inch  off,  and  so  proceed.  Wlien  some 
people  sew  up  a  wound  they  do  it  the  same  as  they  would 
sew  up  a  piece  of  cloth,  but  that  is  quite  wrong,  for  they 
should  tie  a  knot  at  every  stitch,  and  cut  the  thread  off.  But 
when  you  do  not  see  the  wound  until  the  place  is  growing 
dead,  and  the  skin  is  dra\ving  up,  then  take  off  the  loose 
«^Lin  ;  for  if  you  keep  it  on  it  will  curl  up,  and  leave  a 
blemish.     Always  keep  the  lips  of  a  wound  down. 

When  a  wound  is  upon  or  near  a  joint,  there  is  d.'inger  of 


66  THE    COMPLETE    FARRIER, 

tlu'owing  out  a  joint-lee.  of  which  there  are  throe  kinds. 
One.  and  mostly  the  first,  is  thin  and  brown,  something  like 
sweet  wort ;  the  second  is  rather  thicker  and  tougher,  some- 
thing like  melted  glue  ; .  and  the  third,  which  is  the  worst, 
is  like  muddy  water  and  snort  niLxed  together.  This  last  has 
deceived  many  people  ;  for  Avhen  the  wound  has  thrown  out 
this  kind  of  lee,  with  little  white  slippery  pieces,  something 
like  matter,  it  has  often  heen  taken  for  such.  "When  you 
find  any  of  these  kinds  of  lee,  get  a  bottle  of  Riga  Balsam, 
and  syiinge  the  wound  every  day.  If  Riga  Balsam  can  not 
be  got,  use  Tinctm-e  of  Benjamin.  I  have  known  fomenta- 
tions be  of  great  use,  especially  on  the  stifle  joint.  AVhen  a 
wound  is  of  a  dead  color,  and  the  lips  rise,  and  the  dirty  lee 
flows  profusely,  the  cure  is  to  be  despaired  of.  If  proud 
flesh  arise  when  a  wound  is  in  a  fair  way  for  healing,  take 

1  oitnce  of  Basilicon. 

2  drams  of  Red  Precipitate. 

Mix  them  well  together,  and  lay  them  on  the  proud  flesh. 
This  ointment  is  also  very  proper  to  dress  a  Avound  with  that 
appears  dead,  and  does  not  discharge  a  proper  matter.  If 
the  proud  flesh  do  not  submit  to  the  above,  lay  on  a  little 
blue  vitriol,  in  poAvder,  or  touch  it  Avith  caustic  or  oil  of 
vitriol  ;  and  should  none  of  these  make  it  give  way,  lay  on 
a  little  corrosive  sublimate.  The  salves,  tinctures  and  mix- 
tures akeady  laid  down,  are  sufficient  to  cm-e  any  cm-able 
wound. 

Hurts  in  the  Feet. 

Horses  are  oftener  hurt  in  the  Feet  than  any  where  else, 
and  those  hurts  are  often  received  from  the  blacksmith. 
Every  blacksmith  should  be  a  farrier,  and  every  farrier  a 
blacksmith,  for  these  businesses  should  go  hand  in  hand. 
Sometimes  a  horse  is  lamed  by  being  shod  into  the  quick. 
The  foot  should  always  be  carefully  examined  on  the  first 
appearance  of  lameness.  Sometimes  a  nail  AAith  a  flaAV  in  it 
will  cause  a  great  grievance,  as  one  part  will  come  ont  and 
the  othar  Avill  go  into  the  foot.  Blacksmiths  should  never  use 
such  nails  except  in  a  frost,  Avhen  they  can  put  them  into  the 
old  holes.  Sometimes  they  leave  stumps  or  pieces  of  nails 
in  the  feet ;  and  sometimes  Avhen  they  drive  a  nail  they  turn 
the  point  into  the  foot,  and  then  draw  it  back  and  put  iu 
another,  taking  no  further  thought  about  it,  and  when  the 
horse  becomes  lame  they  say  he  is  gravelled. 

When  a  horse  has  got  lamed  in  the  foot,  be  carefnl  to  cut 
it  Ai^ell  out,  and  to  damage  the  hoof  as  little  as  possible,  and 


OR,    HORSE    DOCTOR.  57 

dress  the  place  with  oil  of  turpentine,  spirits  of  tar,  and 
common  tar.  Lay  no  hot  drjang  drugs  on,  unless  proud 
flesh  rise. 

Sometimes  corns  on  the  heels  cause  a  horse  to  be  lame  ; 
cut  them  out,  and  dress  tlie  place  with  aquafortis.  There  is 
another  fault  which  blacksmiths  are  guilty  of,  and  which  is  a 
great  hurt  to  a  horse,  that  is.  cutting  or  paring  the  heel  down 
too  much.  The  heel  being  best  to  come  at,  they  clap  the 
paring-laiife  there  and  cut  them  down,  when  there  is  no  need 
to  take  any  off  them  at  all.  The  heels  are  the  greatest  sup- 
port of  the  horse,  and  by  paring  them  too  thin,  botu  corns 
and  lameness  in  the  back  sinews  are  produced. 

Before  a  blacksmith  begins  to  shoe  a  valuable  horse,  es- 
pecially a  road-horse,  he  should  examine  how  he  stands  and 
how  he  goes.  If  he  go  low,  heavy  shoes  should  be  used  ; 
but  if  he  go  high,  light  ones.  If  he  turn  his  toes  out,  he 
will  cut  with  the  heel,  and  if  he  turn  them  in,  will  cut  with 
the  spurn.  If  ho  h;) ve  a  thin,  flat  foot,  he  should  Jiave  broad 
shoes  ;  but  if  a  hollow,  dished  foot,  narrow  o.ies.  If  the 
crust  be  tlun,  and  the  vein  near,  small  nails  shoald  be  used. 
Some  horses  are  hoof-bound — that  is,  have  straight  heels 
which  pinch  the  vein  between  the  hoof  and  the  coffin.  When 
this  is  the  case,  thin  the  soles  of  the  feet  till  the  blood  springs 
through,  and  then  put  on  screw-shoes,  and  screw  the  feet  out. 
Let  the  screw-shoes  stay  on  a  fortnight.  You  may  screw  the 
feet  out  more  than  half  an  inch. 

The  next  thing  to  be  considered  is  gravel  risiag  from  the 
bottom  to  the  top  of  the  foot,  and  breaking  out  at  the  cor- 
net How  many  twitter-bones  have  been  Ihus  formed  that 
might  have  been  prevented  !  "When  the  gravel  comes  up  to 
the  top  of  the  foot,  take  away  the  sole  at  the  boitom,  and  the 
hoof  at  the  top,  and  mix  equal  parts  of  oil  of  turpentine  and 
oil  of  origanum,  and  bathe  the  top  part  of  the  foot.  This 
will  prevent  a  twitter  from  forming. 

A  Twitter-Bone. 

A  Twitter-bone  makes  a  horse  very  lame,  aud  not  fit  for 
work.     It  keeps  throwing  a  tough  white  matter  out  of  what 
is  called  a  pipe.     In  order  to  cure  it,  first  find  out  where  the 
pipe  leads.    This  you  may  do  with  a  piece  of  round  lead,  the 
size  of  a  small  quill-barrel.     Have  the  following  ready,  viz.  : 
V^  an  oimce  of  Sublimato,  Ln  fine  powder. 
1  ounce  of  Spirits  of  Salt. 
Add  juice  of  oue  lemon  when  Sublimate  is  dissolved. 

Mix  all  together,  and  syringe  a  squirt  full  into  the  pipe 
when  you  take  the  lead  out  j  and  when  yoa  draw  out  the 


.'58  THE    COMPLETE    FARRIE?., 

point  of  the  syringe,  put  yoiir  thuml)  upon  the  place  to  pre. 
vent  it  coming  back  again,  and  then  put  on  a  pledget  of 
green  salve  and  tow.  Do  this  eveiy  other  day,  for  three  or 
four  times,  and  by  this  method  most  twitters  may  be  re- 
moved. But  if  this  method  fail,  the  next  thing  to  be  done  is 
to  put  a  hot  iron,  the  thickness  of  a  small  finger,  where  the 
pipe  leads  to,  and  to  fill  the  hole  ^\'ith  sublimate,  and  bind 
on  it  a  pledget  of  green  salve  with  a  cloth.  Let  it  be  five 
days,  and  then  lay  on  some  more  salve  and  tow,  and  in  five 
days  more  the  T\\itter-bone  and  pipe  will  come  out.  The 
wound  must  be  washed  with  the  following  mixture,  and 
dressed  with  green  salve  and  tow  every  other  day,  till 
nearly  well  : 

1  ounce  of  Bole. 

1  ounce  of  Oil  of  Origanum. 

4  ounces  of  Oil  of  Turpentine. 

Shake  them  up  well  together,  and  they  will  both  help  to 
heal  the  wound,  and  to  bring  down  the  substance.  If  any 
more  Twitter-bones  or  pipes  form,  you  must  take  them  out 
in  the  same  manner. 

A  Fistula,  and  Bruises  of  the  Withers. 

The  Withers  are  much  subject  to  bruises,  caused  by  bad 
saddles,  or  such  as  are  too  wide  in  the  front ;  but,  whatever 
be  the  cause,  it  is  well  known  that  by  neglect  they  often 
terminate  in  a  Fistula. 

When  the  Withers  are  bruised  and  a  swelling  appears,  lay 
a  poultice  of  bran  and  vinegar  over  the  part.  People  who 
have  a  horse  which  is  cni.shed  in  the  Withers,  and  pay  no 
regard  to  it,  are  worse  than  savages,  and  are  not  fit  to  have 
such  a  useful  animal. 

Cure. — After  a  horse  has  been  bruised  in  the  Withers,  the 
skin  breaks  and  matter  is  discharged,  and  then  the  owner 
supposes  that  the  abscess  will  subside,  but  he  is  often  mis- 
taken ;  and  the  pipe  which  he  jierceives  throwing  out  matr- 
ter,  is  at  the  same  time  running  forwards  in  the  Withers,  and 
forming  a  Fistula.  When  you  find  the  disease  proceeding  in 
this  manner,  lay  the  pipe  open  with  a  sharp  penknife  all  the 
length,  for  if  you  leave  any  unopened,  it  will  form  a  Fistula. 
After  you  have  laid  the  place  open,  dress  it  with  the  follow- 
ing mixture  ; 

4  ounces  of  Potashes. 
4  ounces  of  Honey. 
2  ounces  of  White  VitrioL 
1  pint  of  Vinegar. 

Boil  all  together,  wash  the  wound  well  with  the  mixture, 


OR,    HORSE    DOCTOR.  59 

and  lay  on  the  green  salve  and  tow.  If  the  above  be  not 
dry  enough,  add  two  ounces  more  of  white  vitriol,  and  two 
ounces  of  bole.  These  will  make  a  salve  by  themselves  : 
and  by  these  methods  you  may  cui-e  any  disease  of  the  With- 
ers arising  from  external  injuries. 

But  tumors  often  arise  in  the  Withers  from  internal  causes, 
Buch  as  tjje  crisis  of  Fevers.  When  this  happens,  you  must 
not  attempt  to  stop  it,  nor  use  any  thing  to  put  it  back,  for 
by  this  means  you  would  drive  it  more  into  the  shoulder- 
blades,  and  make  it  worse  to  cure  5  but.  on  the  contrary,  do 
every  thing  you  can  to  assist  Nature  in  bringing  it  forward. 
You  can  not  do  better  than  lay  on  poulticestwice  a  day  till 
it  breaks,  for  reason  tells  us  that  it  is  better  to  do  so  than  to 
cut  it ;  but  when  it  is  broken,  open  tlie  orifice  with  a  knife, 
that  you  may  have  more  freedom  in  dressing  it ;  but  be  care- 
ful in  using  the  knife,  that  you  do  not  catch  hold  of  the  liga- 
ment which  tarns  along  the  neck  to  the  Withers.  Sometimes 
it  runs  to  the  other  side  of  the  neck,  under  the  Withers.  The 
cure  is  the  same  as  before.  Lay  all  the  cavities  open  with 
the  knife,  and  do  not  cut  across  if  you  can  avoid  it.  Then 
take  the  following  never-failing  mixture  to  dress  with : 

4  ounces  of  Crude  Sal  Ammoniac. 

2  ounces  of  Bole. 

8  ounces  of  Honey. 

2  oimces  of  Pearl  Ashes. 

2  oimces  of  White  Vitriol. 

1  pint  of  Vinegar. 

Boil  all  together,  and  apply  it  to  the  wound  every  day  at 
first,  and  afterwards  every  other  day  till  well. 

Warbles,  Girth-Galls,  and  Plushes  from  Saddles. 

These  grievances  are  commonly  known,  and  the  following 
mixture  will  eflect  a  cure,  take  off  the  soreness,  and  leave  the 
skin  kind.  I  may  affirm  that  it  Is  one  of  the  best  recipes  yet 
found  out  for  the  piu-pose  : 

2  ounces  of  Extract  of  Lead. 
^  an  ounce  of  White  Copperas. 
2  oimces  of  Spirits  of  Wine. 
4  oimcoj  of  Soft  Water. 
1  ounce  of  Spirits  of  Sal  Ammoniac. 

Mix  all  together  in  a  bottle,  keep  shaldng  it  up,  and  rub 
the  affected  places  well  with  it,  and  put  youi-  saddles  and 
barfens  on  while  the  places  are  wet  in  order  to  prevent  them 
from  infecting  other  horses. 

Sometimes  horses  have  what  are  called  Seifasts  on  their 
backs.     Rub  them  with  a  little  mercurial  ointment,  in  order 


GO  TIIE    COMPLETE    FARRIER, 

to  raise  them  and  make  them  come  off ;  and  if  you  can  not 
pull  them  out  after  using  the  ointment,  cut  them  out  with  a 
sharp  knife,  and  apply  to  the  place  the  above  mixture,  or 
heal  it  up  as  a  common  wound.  Most  excrescences  on  hor- 
ses are  cured  in  this  manner. 

Windgalls. 

These  are  mostly  on  the  hind  legs,  near  the  fetlock,  but  1 
have  known  them  above  the  fetlock,  and  on  the  arm.  Wind- 
galls  are  not  only  eye-sores,  but  lame  many  a  horse.  Many 
methods  are  tried  to  disperse  them  without  effect.  If  you 
put  your  finger  on  one  side,  and  your  thumb  on  the  other, 
and  press  with  one  of  them,  you  will  find  the  Windgall  to 
go  quite  through  the  leg.  The  reason  that  they  are  mostly 
on  the  hind  leg  is.  because  the  horse  stands  lower  behind 
than  before,  and  throws  most  weight  on  the  hind  legs. 

Cure. — On  the  first  appearance  of  a  Windgall,  bathe  the 
place  well  with  warm  vinegar  and  spirits  of  wine,  and  put  a 
pretty  tight  bandage. round  it.  If  this  do  not  remove  it,  lay 
on  blistering  ointment  till  the  cure  shall  be  completed.  But 
should  this  method  also  fail,  which  it  seldom  does,  you  must 
lay  the  Windgall  open  and  dress  it  as  a  common  wound.- 
Before  you  use  the  knife,  be  careful  to  get  the  horse's  body 
into  a  proper  cool  state  by  physic. 

The  Grease. 

This  disorder  is  mostly  brought  on  by  soft  corn,  hard 
usage,  want  of  proper  cleaning,  or  a  depraved  state  of  the 
blood  and  juices ;  therefore  it  is  proper  to  divide  it  into 
two  heads. 

Cure,  when  the  Vessels  are  Relaxed. — On  first  observing 
the  legs  of  a  horse  to  swell  after  standing  several  hours,  and 
to  recover  their  proper  dimensions  with  exercise,  be  careful 
to  wash  them  clean  with  chamber-ley.  soap-suds,  or  vinegar 
and  water,  every  time  he  comes  in.  for  this  will  p*revent  or 
remove  the  disorder.  Horses  that  have  round  or  fleshy 
legs  are  more  subject  to  the  Grease  than  those  that  have 
flat  legs  ;  but  a  flat-legged  horse  is  more  easily  sprained. 
Nitro,  sulphur,  and  liver  of  antimony,  are  proper  both  to 
prevent  the  Grease  and  to  refine  the  blood.  Mix  eqiml  parts 
of-  each,  and  give  a  meat-spoonful  every  day  in  his  food. 

CuRbJ  FOR  THE  GrkASE  FROM  LvTKRXAL  CaUSFS.— If  thc  horSB 

be  fiiU  of  flesh,  the  cure  must  be  begun  by  bleeding,  rowels, 
and  repeated  purging  ;  after  which  two  ounces  of  the  follow- 


OR,    nORSE    DOCTOE.  61 

ing  balls  should  be  given  every  other  day  for  some  time,  and 
they  will  work  by  ui-iue  the  day  following  : 

4  ounces  of  Yellow  Resin. 
2  ounces  of  Salt  of  Prunel. 

1  ounce  of  Oil  of  Juniper. 

2  ounces  of  Salt  of  Tartar. 
8  ounces  of  Castile  Soap. 

1  ounce  of  Camphor. 

Put  these  into  a  mortar  with  about  two  ounces  of  honey, 
or  as  much  as  will  make  them  into  balls,  and  they  will  carry 
ofi"  the  offending  humors,  and  free  the  blood  from  its  noxious 
qualities.  But  at  the  same  time  that  these  internal  remedies 
are  taken,  outward  ones  should  not  be  omitted.  The  legs 
should  be  bathed  with  warm  verjuice  5  and,  if  very  bad,  a 
poultice  of  boiled  turnips  applied.  If  turnips  can  not  be 
got,  make  a  poultice  of  linseed  meal  and  bran,  with  a  little 
hog's  lard  in  to  prevent  it  from  growing  hard. 

Sometimes  horses  are  neglected  when  in  the  Grease  till 
they  have  what  are  called  grape-legs.  These  may  be  cured 
on  their  first  appearance,  when  they  are  in  the  bud,  by  lay- 
ing on  caustic,  or  corrosive  sublimate.  When  the  swelling 
is  abated,  make  the  following  into  a  salve  to  dress  the 
sores  with  : 

1  ounce  of  Blue  Stone  Vitriol,  in  powder. 

2  ounces  of  White  Lead,  in  powder. 
4  ounces  of  Honey. 

Mix  these  well  together,  and  lay  them  on  the  sores  with 
low,  to  heal  them  ;  but,  should  they  continue  foul,  and  not 
frame  to  heal,  mix  four  ounces  of  green  salve,  and  four 
ounces  of  -^gyptiacum  ointment  well  together,  and  lay  it 
on  in  the  above  manner.  The  mixture  will  both  heal  and 
dry  up  the  sores. 

Scratches. 

This  disease  is  a  forerunner  of  the  Grease,  and  is  a  hot 
oozing  matter  that  breaks  out  like  links,  with  a  nauseous 
smell.  It  is  very  troublesome  to  a  horse,  causing  his  heels 
to  look  red  and  angry,  and  to  be  very  sore  ;  and  sometimes 
it  is  so  violent  as  to  render  a  horse  lame,  and  make  him 
unfit  for  use. 

K  you  do  not  bleed  and  physic  as  soon  as  you  find  a  heat 
in  a  horse's  heels,  you  may  soon  have  him  laid  in  the  Grease. 
Sometimcis  in  slight  touches  of  this  complaint  the  heels  axe 
not  hotter  than  usual.  In  that  case,  take  a  little  flour  of 
sulphur  and  spirits  of  v/ine,  mix  them  together  into  an  oint- 
ment, and  fill  the  cracks  well  with  it.     When  the  disorder  is 


62  THE    COMrLETE    FARRIER, 

too  hot  to  be  healed  by  this  ointment,  nib  with  a  little 
^gyptiacum  ointment,  but  be  careful  not  to  lay  too  much 
on,  for  it  is  a  great  drier. 

Rat-tails  at  first  resemble  the  Grease,  and  are  attended 
with  a  hot  scorbutic  humor  at  the  beginning,  and  ofleu  by 
neglect  destroy  the  roots  of  the  hair,  and  then  there  is  no 
complete  cure  for  them,  but  they  may  be  relieved  by  rub- 
bing with  equal  parts  of  strong  mercurial  ointment  and 
Flanders  oil  of  bays. 

If  a  horse  have  got  the  Scurvy,  or  Scabs  on  his  legs,  this 
ointment  will  mostly  take  them  off  ;  but  if  not,  mix  well 
with  hog's  lard,  one  dram  of  sublimate,  in  fine  powder. 
These  two  last  mixtures  will  cure  most  Scabs,  and  mixed 
together  they  will  cure  the  Itch. 

The  Crown  Scab. 

This  disorder  is  similar  to  the  last.  It  breaks  out  on  the 
cornet  of  the  foot,  and  is  at  first  a  hot  running  tumor,  and 
afterwards  a  dry,  scurvy  scab.  Let  the  horse  be  bled  and 
])hysicked,  and  then  rub  him  with  either  of  the  above  oint- 
ments, and  the  cure  will  be  effected. 

How  to  Manage  a  Horse  en  a  Journey. 

In  the  first  place,  find  out  whether  the  horse  is  in  health, 
and  has  been  properly  fed  and  exercised  ;  for  when  a  horse 
is  fli>6hed  up.  and  has  had  no  exercise,  he  is  very  unfit  for  a 
journey.  Before  you  set  out  be  careful  to  observe  if  his 
shoes  are  fast,  and  if  they  sit  easy  ;  also  whether  he  cuts  be- 
fore or  behind,  or  interferes,  as  it  is  called.  If  a  horse  cut 
•with  bad  shoes,  he  will  probably  do  it  with  new  ones,  not- 
vithstanding  what  horse-dealers  may  say  to  the  contrary. 

If  your  horse's  back  inflame  by  the  rubbing  of  tbe  saddle, 
wash  the  part  as  soon  as  you  perceive  it,  with  salt  and  water, 
or  vinegar  and  water,  and  have  the  stuffing  of  the  saddle 
altered  so  as  to  remove  the  pressure  from  the  part  aflected  : 
but  if  the  skin  be  broken  before  you  perceive  it,  the  injured 
part  should  be  washed  with  a  mixture,  composed  of  equal 
])art3  of  extract  of  lead,  spirits  of  wine,  and  water.  You 
must  look  well  after  his  back,  and  walk  sometimes,  in  order 
to  ease  him,  especially  when  going  down  a  hill. 

It  often  happens,  especially  to  young  horses,  that  the  legs 
swell,  or  become  gourdy,  as  farriers  call  it.  with- traveling, 
and  more  frequently  when  a  horse  cuts.  It  is  also  observed 
that  the  hind  legs  swell  oftener  than  the  fore  legs,  because 
the  fore  parts  stand  highest  ia  the  stall,  and  consequently 


OR,    HORSE    DOCl-OR.  C.'3 

the  greatest  stress  lies  on  the  hind  legs.  The  best  method 
of  prevention  is  to  Avash  the  legs  with  warm  water  every 
time  you  bait,  by  which  means  the  disease  will  be  prevented, 
and  much  time,  trouble  and  expense  saved. 

Nothing  is  of  more  consequence  in  traveling  than  to  take 
care  that  your  horse  has  water  at  proper  times  and  in  proper 
quantities.  When  a  horse  travels  he  perspires  considerably, 
especially  in  hot  weather,  and  should  therefore  be  allowed 
to  drink  a  little  more  than  usnal,  as  opportunity  oilers,  which 
will  refresh  him  greatly  ;  but  never  sutler  him  to  drink  much 
at  a  time,  for  if  you  suffer  him  to  drink  his  fill  he  will  be 
dull  and  sluggish  afterwards,  besides  the  harm  he  may  re- 
ceive from  drinking  too  much  cold  water  when  he  is  hot. 
Never  allow  your  horse  to  be  led  to  water,  or  to  have  his  heels 
washed,  after  you  have  arrived  at  your  inn,  but  let  him  have 
lukewarm  water,  or  water  moderately  cool,  when  he  has 
stood  some  time  in  the   stable. 

It  is  a  general  rule  that  when  any  extraneous  body,  or 
foreign  matter,  such  as  sand  or  gravel,  is  lodged  in  any  part 
of  the  animal's  body,  it  must  be  extracted  as  soon  and  as 
easily  as  possible.  When  gravelly  matter  has  got  into  the 
quick  at  a  nail-hole,  or  any  other  aperture,  it  ought  to  be 
removed  as  soon  as  possible,  but  with  as  little  loss  of  sub- 
stance as  the  nature  of  the  case  will  admit  of,  for  it  is  a  folly 
to  cut  and  pare  away  the  hoof  as  some  ignorant  farriers  do  ; 
because  by  that  means  they  increase  the  evil  instead  of  re- 
moving it,  as  it  is  a  considerable  time  before  the  breach  is 
repaired,  and  till  that  is  done,  the  same  part  is  likely  to  ad- 
mit more  gravel.  So  much,  therefore,  and  no  more,  of  the 
hoof  should  be  taken  away  as  is  necessary,  viz. :  till  the 
blackness  or  discoloration  vanishes  ;  then  the  wound  should 
be  dressed  with  the  following  balsam  : 

^<2  an  ounce  of  Gum  Benjamin. 
^  an  ounce  of  Balsam  of  Peru. 

6  drams  of  Myrrh. 

3  drams  of  Storax. 

;?  drams  of  Socotrine  Aloes. 

3  drams  of  Frankincense. 

3  drams  of  Gum  Guaiacum. 

Powder  the  ingredients  that  will  powder,  and  put  them  in 
a  bottle  with  one  quart  of  spirits  of  wine,  and  let  them  stand 
warm  for  eight  or  ten  days,  shaking  the  bottle  up  every  day. 
This  is  an  excellent  balsam  for  green  wounds,  and  no  person 
that  keeps  valuable  horses  should  be  without  it.  Apply  it 
warm  to  the  wound,  dipping  a  piece  of  tow  or  lint  into  it,  an(^ 
fastening  it  on  to  the  part  out  of  which  the  gravel  or  thorn 
has  been  taken,  and  renew  it  as  it  grows  dry. 


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Howto  Behave;  or,  TL  Sp. -i  c 

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'dictionary  of  8,000  Abbrevia  - 

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Guideto  Beauty,  containing  over  600  B«cipes, 

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,  PabllB^tiflM,49ro.  18  Ann  3t;i«»t»  N«w  Toilc. 


lwi.~ 


